A blue dress
I never wore ...29 total reviews
Comment from Father Flaps
Hi Wendy,
A wonderful story. As I read along, a song popped in my pointed head, "Everything Is Beautiful" by Ray Stevens.
"Everything is beautiful in its own way
Like a starry summer night
Or a snow covered winter's day
And everybody's beautiful in their own way
Under God's heaven
The world's gonna find the way"
It matters more what's on the inside. You are right. Beauty is only skin-deep.
A good parent will nurture their child, and emphasize the gems of their personality, not their looks. That's where confidence is born.
Nicely penned! I'll bet you were a wonderful teacher.
Hugs,
Kimbob
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2024
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Hi Wendy,
A wonderful story. As I read along, a song popped in my pointed head, "Everything Is Beautiful" by Ray Stevens.
"Everything is beautiful in its own way
Like a starry summer night
Or a snow covered winter's day
And everybody's beautiful in their own way
Under God's heaven
The world's gonna find the way"
It matters more what's on the inside. You are right. Beauty is only skin-deep.
A good parent will nurture their child, and emphasize the gems of their personality, not their looks. That's where confidence is born.
Nicely penned! I'll bet you were a wonderful teacher.
Hugs,
Kimbob
Comment Written 12-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2024
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That is a beautiful song, and I always enjoyed its lyrics - worth remembering. Thank you for a very supportive and encouraging review. I am grateful.
Wendy
Comment from Colorado Owl
You wrote a wonderful story. After reading the first few paragraphs, I was afraid it would have a different (unhappy) ending. What a blessing you must be to your students! Your experience as a child was sad, but you were able to rise above it and develop empathy for others who may be in similar situations. Thank you for writing this. Its message to parents and grandparents is important. Well done!
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2024
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You wrote a wonderful story. After reading the first few paragraphs, I was afraid it would have a different (unhappy) ending. What a blessing you must be to your students! Your experience as a child was sad, but you were able to rise above it and develop empathy for others who may be in similar situations. Thank you for writing this. Its message to parents and grandparents is important. Well done!
Comment Written 12-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2024
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Thank you so much for this lovely review. Yes, I think the greatest gift for any child is the gift of appropriate self-esteem. And it is an important message. I appreciate your insightand encouragement.
Wendy
Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose
It has been proven that getting loving attention during the first 3 years of a child's life helps race healthy self assure and happy children.
You reminded me of my first blue dress. My mother was a seamstress and that dress was the last she made. She died when I was ten. That dressed was ruined in the wash, I was heartbroken.
My eyes are blue like my father. My oldest daughter has bluegray eyes, my son brown, and my youngest has hazel eyes. They are beatiful. In the day and twilight light they are the most beatiful eyes. But I love all my children equally, they are beautiful in their Owen way.
Well done!
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2024
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It has been proven that getting loving attention during the first 3 years of a child's life helps race healthy self assure and happy children.
You reminded me of my first blue dress. My mother was a seamstress and that dress was the last she made. She died when I was ten. That dressed was ruined in the wash, I was heartbroken.
My eyes are blue like my father. My oldest daughter has bluegray eyes, my son brown, and my youngest has hazel eyes. They are beatiful. In the day and twilight light they are the most beatiful eyes. But I love all my children equally, they are beautiful in their Owen way.
Well done!
Comment Written 11-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2024
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I am so sorry, Gypsy. This must have been a hard story for you to read, bringing back such memories. Yes, you love each one, and you made, and still make, your children feel beautiful each in their own way. That's the best on-going gift you could have offered them. Thank you so much for a wonderful review and for the six beautiful stars. They are much appreciated.
Wendy
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I'm okay. That happened a long time ago but I still remember.
Comment from royowen
My wife was the language co ordinator, or, senior mistress back in the day, she always volunteered and sheltered her faculty from those difficult classes with not-so-well-behaved students, I guess that life and a very loving father taught her different values from some, myself our children and grands are very fortunate and richer to have inherited her, as are yours, she retains friendships, you are most valuable, well done, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2024
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My wife was the language co ordinator, or, senior mistress back in the day, she always volunteered and sheltered her faculty from those difficult classes with not-so-well-behaved students, I guess that life and a very loving father taught her different values from some, myself our children and grands are very fortunate and richer to have inherited her, as are yours, she retains friendships, you are most valuable, well done, blessings Roy
Comment Written 11-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2024
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Thanks for your thoughts. Yes, I too was the Languages Coordinator, and Assistant to the Deputy, and with him I also timetabled the college of 1400 students and around 150 teaching staff.
Wendy
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Impressive number
Comment from BethShelby
I understand what you saying I too had straight hair, freckles, hazel eyes and was pale. My mom would have never told me I was pretty even if I'd been beautiful because she didn't think I should think of myself as pretty. I would look in the mirror and say, Mom, am I pretty. and she would say You are sweet. That wasn't what I wante to here. A lot of people thought I was pretty in my teens but by that time I could never accept that I was. Certainly colors do make people look pettier. I look horrible in yellow and orange and pastels. I look much better in Dark blue, Purples and Reds and blacks and dark greens.
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2024
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I understand what you saying I too had straight hair, freckles, hazel eyes and was pale. My mom would have never told me I was pretty even if I'd been beautiful because she didn't think I should think of myself as pretty. I would look in the mirror and say, Mom, am I pretty. and she would say You are sweet. That wasn't what I wante to here. A lot of people thought I was pretty in my teens but by that time I could never accept that I was. Certainly colors do make people look pettier. I look horrible in yellow and orange and pastels. I look much better in Dark blue, Purples and Reds and blacks and dark greens.
Comment Written 11-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2024
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Thank you very much, Beth. I think and hope that parents these days are more in tune with the emotional needs of children. Self esteem is very important for well-being. I appreciate your understanding review.
Wendy
Comment from karenina
This is as though it was written just for me, Wendy. My earliest memories were of my mother telling me she never wanted a daughter. Oh, how she doted on her two boys! My brothers both were blessed with clear, bright, gorgeous brown eyes. I too was a "hazel-eyed" outcast. I learned early that I could find comfort and confidence while writing -- or in school, where I could excel and not be in direct competition with the favored brothers. I became a nurse because I knew very well how being accepted and shown unconditional love was essential to health and healing.
My mother had her own demons, I suppose. I think it was when she died and I stood at her grave that I forgave her. Little did I know how freeing that would be for ME!
Knowing you through your work it's obvious you persevered through those fragile childhood years as your sister got the "blue dress attention"--
The biggest blessing is the two of you truly love one another. You would have been a rockstar at teaching...
You did it your way and thrived!
Karenina
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2024
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This is as though it was written just for me, Wendy. My earliest memories were of my mother telling me she never wanted a daughter. Oh, how she doted on her two boys! My brothers both were blessed with clear, bright, gorgeous brown eyes. I too was a "hazel-eyed" outcast. I learned early that I could find comfort and confidence while writing -- or in school, where I could excel and not be in direct competition with the favored brothers. I became a nurse because I knew very well how being accepted and shown unconditional love was essential to health and healing.
My mother had her own demons, I suppose. I think it was when she died and I stood at her grave that I forgave her. Little did I know how freeing that would be for ME!
Knowing you through your work it's obvious you persevered through those fragile childhood years as your sister got the "blue dress attention"--
The biggest blessing is the two of you truly love one another. You would have been a rockstar at teaching...
You did it your way and thrived!
Karenina
Comment Written 11-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2024
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Thank you so much Karenina! You understand. How very difficult for you! Unbelievable. But you understand, and you became a nurse for much the same reasons as I became a teacher. We both wanted to help people to heal.
My older brother had brown eyes and the LONGEST eyelashes, which I also missed out on. But I have learned since about what matters and what doesn't.
Appropriate self acceptance and self esteem are SOimportant for mental well-being, particularly for children.
I highly value your words, as well as the six beautiful stars. MANY thanks for both.
Wendy
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It's tough not being the cutest, smartest, etc...
But we do find our way out of the darkness and learn that shining light on others also lights our own candle of worthiness!
Comment from patcelaw
This is very well Britain and I enjoyed very much listening to it. It is very important that we have a relationship with our children that teaches them how to have self-worth and how they need to be told that they are worthy. I was one of those little girls who was never able to do anything right for my parents and it took me a long time to come to the point where I had self-esteem. Patricia.
reply by the author on 11-Aug-2024
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This is very well Britain and I enjoyed very much listening to it. It is very important that we have a relationship with our children that teaches them how to have self-worth and how they need to be told that they are worthy. I was one of those little girls who was never able to do anything right for my parents and it took me a long time to come to the point where I had self-esteem. Patricia.
Comment Written 11-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 11-Aug-2024
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Thanks so much for reviewing, Pat. Appropriate self esteem is the greatest gift one can give a child.
Wendy
Comment from Verna Cole Mitchell
This was beautifully written and shows your remarkable self off very well. My little sister was the cute one with curls when she was little. I had the straight hair in pigtails, but there was no problem with her eyes being a pretty blue. I made my place in our home by being a "pleaser." All four of us siblings had brown eyes, a gift from Dad. Mother's blue eyes showed up in both of my children, from her and my husband. (Forget brown is dominant.) Actually our son's are mostly hazel, and I think they're beautiful, just like his sister's blue ones! Like you, I got my confidence while teaching. I'd found my place in the world! I love your ending. It rounds this outstanding piece out very well, and I think it will do very well in the contest.
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2024
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This was beautifully written and shows your remarkable self off very well. My little sister was the cute one with curls when she was little. I had the straight hair in pigtails, but there was no problem with her eyes being a pretty blue. I made my place in our home by being a "pleaser." All four of us siblings had brown eyes, a gift from Dad. Mother's blue eyes showed up in both of my children, from her and my husband. (Forget brown is dominant.) Actually our son's are mostly hazel, and I think they're beautiful, just like his sister's blue ones! Like you, I got my confidence while teaching. I'd found my place in the world! I love your ending. It rounds this outstanding piece out very well, and I think it will do very well in the contest.
Comment Written 11-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2024
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Thank you very much Verna. It's a wonderful and thoughtful review, and I greatly value the six stars. Yes, I too tried to be a pleaser, and earn love. My mother, in answer to my question if she loved me, said "When you're good!" How hard I tried to be "good".I am glad you too found your role as a teacher. Students know whether teachers care about them.. Thank you again.
Wendy
Comment from BOO ghost
On her rare visits, my paternal grandmother would pinch my sister's cheeks with pleasure, and exclaim, "How pretty she looks in that blue dress!"
This is fact or fiction story of sisters? My sister's new dress was always blue - but mine was yellow, pink, or green, or whatever other fabric colour was available. I never had a blue dress. I asked my mother if I could, one day, have a blue dress, but the answer was, "No, dear. Blue looks good on Lindy; it matches her blue eyes!" BOO did notice, in the picture, that the little girl has blue eyes. So, yes, blue is a perfect match for blue eyes. Who cares about hazel eyes? With MY eyes, I can and do wear anything! Well, universal eyes! Nice story!
BOO!
reply by the author on 11-Aug-2024
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On her rare visits, my paternal grandmother would pinch my sister's cheeks with pleasure, and exclaim, "How pretty she looks in that blue dress!"
This is fact or fiction story of sisters? My sister's new dress was always blue - but mine was yellow, pink, or green, or whatever other fabric colour was available. I never had a blue dress. I asked my mother if I could, one day, have a blue dress, but the answer was, "No, dear. Blue looks good on Lindy; it matches her blue eyes!" BOO did notice, in the picture, that the little girl has blue eyes. So, yes, blue is a perfect match for blue eyes. Who cares about hazel eyes? With MY eyes, I can and do wear anything! Well, universal eyes! Nice story!
BOO!
Comment Written 11-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 11-Aug-2024
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Thank you for reviewing. It is all factual (biographical). I chose the image, on purpose, of a blue eyed girl in a blue dress to represent my sister. Thanks again.
Wendy
Comment from barbara.wilkey
I wish every parent and teacher, because they are guilty too, should this and pause to think about it's meaning and what we do to children. Thank you for sharing this with us.
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2024
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I wish every parent and teacher, because they are guilty too, should this and pause to think about it's meaning and what we do to children. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Comment Written 11-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2024
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Thank you, Barbara! Yes, because appropriate self-esteem is so important for mental well-being, both for children and for adults. I appreciate your review.
Wendy