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Each princess shines with unique brilliance
(by Christine Thome - April 28, 2011)
BEYOND MY CONTROL, BY CHRISTINE THOME
Each princess shines with unique brilliance
Not everybody can be a princess. Somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as I go by.
I don't know who said that quote -- but it's one of my favorites, because it makes me want to sit up straight, put on my tiara and pretend I am sitting atop a floral-covered parade carriage while performing the official princess wave -- shoulder, shoulder, wrist, wrist.
Yes, I do consider myself a princess. However, unlike other princesses, there are no cute little woodland animals doing my housework for me, my pumpkins rot and stink instead of turning into sweet rides, and, although I love my husband dearly, I'm not sure I would characterize him as Prince Charming.
On the upside -- and unlike other story-book princesses -- my father has always played an important and positive role of my life, I've never had an evil stepmother, and I was never forced to wear glass slippers. I can't imagine the blisters that would come from those. Give me a comfy pair of flats or flip-flops any day.
I have always thought of myself as a princess. My favorite color is pink; I danced ballet from age 2 to 22, had tutus in every color; my elementary school nickname was "Prissy Chrissy," because I ran on my toes; and even when I turned 40, my dear friends threw me a surprise princess party, complete with tiaras and magic wands. I can't ever remember not being a princess.
So when I had three daughters, it never occurred to me that they wouldn't grow up to be princesses just like me. My mother had saved all my dance costumes over the years, and, when I presented a treasure box of overflowing tulle and sequenced dresses to my girls, they humored me by wearing them with their soccer shoes or while dribbling a basketball in the driveway.
I think my oldest daughter had more fun dressing up her younger brother in the tutus. However, in his defense, every picture I have of him in a tutu he is carrying his "Bob the Builder" toolbox with a yellow hard hat on his head. No tiaras for this tough guy.
I thought I could change my girls into princesses if I just placed them into dance classes. I was willing to give up strict ballet classes for something more fun like tap and jazz, but, other than looking adorable for recitals, it was not their thing. When Hallie spent more time in the hallways than in class because she couldn't stop laughing, I knew it was time to cut my losses. Just like Repunzel should have cut her hair.
So I was surprised when my youngest daughter told me how deprived she felt because she had never seen the princess classics like "Snow White" or "Sleeping Beauty."
"I didn't think you were interested," I said.
"How can you think that? Every girl wants to be a princess!" she cried.
I couldn't believe this was coming from the girl who prefers high tops to high heels.
And that's when I realized there is a difference between wanting to be a princess and wanting to live like a king's daughter.
Even Princess Diana said, "Being a princess isn't all it's cracked up to be." Instead of remaining sheltered in a drafty castle, she used her position to help the most underprivileged in the world. She remained strong and independent through her divorce, and, most importantly, she was loved by all, because she was genuine and sincere.
Princesses stand for poise, grace, good manners and being kind to others. They are noble and have a great potential that they strive to live up to. Contrary to some beliefs, princesses are not weak in body or spirit; they are strong, independent thinking and hardworking. Their beauty shines through from the inside out.
It's not what a princess owns but what she owns up to.
I now realize that my three daughters are princesses in every sense of the word. They are kind, confident in themselves, hardworking, and they light up a room with the magic of their smiles.
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