My daughter is smarter and more generous than I am

I looked at my hair today and saw a frizzy, flyaway, needs to be dyed mess.

Emi looked at my hair and saw something shiny and beautiful.

 

I looked at my skin today and saw icky pores, oil, and lines.

Emi looked at my skin and saw smiles and love.

 

I look at the henna on my arm and see the blobs, asymmetry, and wonkiness.

Emi looks at the henna on my arm and sees the beauty and that practicing is the way to get better.

 

I looked at my tattoo and was worried about what random people would think of the placement.

Emi looked at my tattoo and was ecstatic to see that her flower is still there and will always be there.

 

I look at my body and see a flabby middle, bad posture, pasty skin, and the assorted ills of years of computer work and stress.

Emi looks at me and sees arms for hugging, legs for dancing, eyes and mouth for reading stories, hands for crafting, and shoulders to lean on.

 

I like Emi's version of me WAY better than my version of me. She's a pretty smart cookie. I'm so thankful she's mine.