Tag Archives: Laughter

Kidsprov 123!

Standard

It’s like my son, Casey’s,

Stage 2 Improv…

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/05/23/did-you-hear-t…ring-comedians/

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/06/07/visiting-naple…prov-hilarious/

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/06/14/its-a-hit/

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/stage-2-improv…-of-my-funk-ha/

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/07/18/my-sons-funny-…s-in-the-paper/

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/07/27/boo-hoo-stage-2/

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/11/09/stage-2-improv…back-go-see-it/

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2014/06/29/my-son-gets-funnier-ever-day/‎‎

But for kids!!!!

He’s been working with the Co-Directors,

Mike & Judith Santos

Practicing and video-taping for their shows!!

Check it out!!

And also check out their article in the Oct. issue of

Parent-Child Magazine!!!

http://kidsprov123.com/

http://kidsprov123.com/…/SW-FL-Parent-Child-October-2014000…

“Kids Prov 123© 

is a children’s comedy improv television series

performed in front of live studio audiences.

Skits, songs and games are driven by suggestions from in-studio

and on-line (virtual) audiences.

 The show format includes guest performers,

contests between the performers,

and opportunities for on-line submissions via

YouTube and other social media platforms

which will be judged

with winners being invited to become in-studio audience for future episodes.

Improv may take the form of acting, dancing, singing,

playing musical instruments, creating artwork, miming, poetry, and more.

Improv is sometimes referred to as “on-the-spot”,

“off-the-cuff”,

and “on-the-fly” performing.

It is always unrehearsed.

Kids Prov 123© performers will be spontaneously reacting

to the moment

and responding to their immediate environment

and their inner feelings.

In addition to the entertainment value,

Kids Prov 123©

has strong educational value

for teaching such concepts as multi-lateral and creative thinking,

social skill building,

extemporaneous speaking,

communications and listening skills,

body language,

acting quickly,

team building,

decision making

and non-structured thinking.”

Kids Prov 123©  Concept created by Susan Cunningham  August 1, 2013

I love it!!

My Son Gets Funnier Ever Day!!

Standard

Here’s the link to a great News-Press article and interview about Stage 2 Improv!!

http://www.news-press.com/story/entertainment/2014/06/20/stage-improv-brings-funny-downtown-naples/11000603/

Stage 2 Improv brings the funny to downtown Naples

Charles Runnells, crunnells@news-press.com

“Sometimes you just don’t know,”

says Debrowski, 23, of Punta Gorda.

“And that’s the thing about improv.

You can’t be afraid to fail.

That’s where the funny often comes from:

failing and failing big.

You don’t know what’s going to happen

a second from now,

two seconds from now,”

Debrowski says.

“It could be anything.”

6-12-14 Walk 055

We’re all having great fun with this thing that he does!!

6-12-14 Walk 057

The Naples Players are awesome!

6-12-14 Walk 032

I love Old Naples!  The Sugden Theater is beautiful!

6-12-14 Walk 044

The Stage 2  Improv cast members are characters!!

6-12-14 Walk 045

Casey, the comedy wizard!

6-12-14 Walk 047

Great Friends!

6-12-14 Walk 054

Me with our good neighbors!

6-12-14 Walk 052

Hubby took  a nap, so he could come out to see the show!!

6-12-14 Walk 058

Great show, Casey!!

6-12-14 Walk 059

Crazy buddies!!

Old Naples, Improv, Wedding 073

Stage 2 Improv cast members:  Rosie, Steve, and Synthia cutting up after the show!!

Old Naples, Improv, Wedding 074

More crazy, fun friends!!

6-12-14 Walk 039

Beautiful theater!

6-12-14 Walk 040

With beautiful orchids!!

6-12-14 Walk 024

It was a great summer run!!

Hilarious fun!!

I loved it…

And look forward to many more shows!!

“Laughter is like an instant vacation.”

-Joyce Meyer-

Amen!

Is 65 The New 45??? Gee, I Hope So!!

Standard

4-4-14 Walk-Gift 070

Happy Birthday To Me!!

I recently celebrated a BIG Birthday!

4-4-14 Walk-Gift 056

                                            (Me with Sandy and Elle!)

And I now get to show my golden Medicare “ticket” everywhere..

But, now that I’m “mature,”  I forget to do it!!

Hubby’s already on it, so I know it’s fine…

I’ll get used to it!

We already had good insurance…

Thanks to the NJ Public Schools…

My plan after college was to get married,

Teach for two years,

Have 4 kids…

Done!

But, since my son took 14 years to arrive! 

I just kept on teaching…

And, as my sister-in-law advised,

“Stay in teaching long enough to get all the benefits you deserve!!”

So, I stayed!

After 26 years, I retired…

One kid, a pension, and my health insurance…

God is good!

Because of so many years…

Of being blessed with God’s wisdom…

My years of experience…

And my mistakes…

(Thank you for “redos,” Lord!)

I’m such a wealth of information! 

Ha!

So, what do you want to know about???

Growing up in a constantly fast-talking Italian family…

With lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins???

So much fun going to church together…

Everyone talking at the same time…

Very loudly!!

With lots and lots of food!!!

Growing up Pentecostal???

Lots of “You can’t do that!”

But, lots of faith, love, and strong trust in God, too!!

I learned to teach my son about all the things we can do in Christ!

And the joy we experience!

Growing up with an older brother???

“Stitches” in my side as he walked too fast on our way to school…

Joe always said my younger brother, John, and I had “piercing voices!”

Growing up with a younger brother???

Who, as I mentioned in another post…

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/09/07/oh-by-the-way-…have-any-gauze/

Slashed my lip with a snow shovel…

While  we were shoveling snow in NJ…

When I was in 6th grade!

But, we never wanted to be apart!

Praying for a sister???

My Mom was 38…

I had to have a sister…

Having two brothers was just too much…

I was eleven when Tina was born!

She went everywhere with me!

So special to me to this day!!

Amen!

God answers prayers!

Wanting to be a teacher since the first grade???

My cousin, Phyllis, who was three years older…

Lived next door…

And was always the teacher…

 I was the best student there ever was!

Dating????

Long term dating…

Too early, too intense…

I would not recommend it today!!

College and  Master’s  Education???

Let me just say…

The tassel is definitely worth the hassle…

Do your homework…

Get an education!!!

Then, ask God to give you a job you’re passionate about!

First Marriage???

Moved to Texas to live with my older brother and his wife…

Married two and a half years…

Divorced…

Came home to NJ!

Divorce???

Low, low point…

Feels like someone took a photo of the two of you…

Tore  it in two…

And ripped your heart out…

You’re deeply changed…

I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone!

Second Marriage

To my high school sweetheart…

Thirty-seven years…

Through the best of the best…

And the worst of the worst…

 The key is to go through it…

TOGETHER…

That’s what marriage is all about…

Even when “LOVE” is strong…

  But, “LIKE” is not!!

Amen!

Oh,Yes…

I am difficult to live with…

More than just sometimes!!

Good quote on Facebook:
“In every marriage more than a week old,
there are grounds for divorce…
the trick is to find, and continue to find,
the grounds for marriage!!” 
Thank you, Jesus!
Amen!!
3-15-14 Billy & Cheryl 205

Ten years of Infertility???

Why me?

All my cousins and friends had kids…

But, God turned my attitude to…

“Why not me?”

And I received a miracle gift from God!

It was totally worth the huge cost and effort…

Of in-vitro…

To have our son!!!

Thank God for insurance!

Coming back to God???

Spent twenty years doing “my own thing!”

But could not fathom…

Raising my son without faith…

He loved Jesus…

Going to church…

Lively worship music…

And Veggie Tales…

And he led me back to Jesus!

Raising a great kid???

What a ministry…

To pour Jesus into your child!!!

4-11-14 to 4-13-14 Game, Outreach, RL 635

Life???

Yes, they’ll be trials…

But, always accept the Lord’s…

Joy!

Death???

So sad to lose loved ones…

But, we can celebrate their life…

Because of our Hope of Heaven…

And say, “See you soon!”

Parents???

We do our best…

So remember…

Your parents did their best, too!!

Forgive…

Don’t hold onto grudges…

Love!

4-11-14 to 4-13-14 Game, Outreach, RL 630

Friends and family???

While you can’t pick your family…

You can love, encourage, and minister to the family that God gave you!

Friends…

Chose wisely and love deeply!

Siberian Huskies???

Only God could make such a beautiful face…

My Crazy, Precious Little Girl…

Is lots of work…

And brings, oh, so much joy!!

See her Birthday post!

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2014/01/03/guess-whos-turning-seven/

4-3-14 golf course 162

Seeing through God’s eyes???

Is beautiful…

And difficult…

Be prepared to listen…

Be prepared to obey!

Religion???

Faith is better than no faith…

Our relationship with Jesus  is everything!

Being retired???

Not HAVING to work is soooo good…

Retirement with a pension is the best!

Ministering to others???

Accountability…

Teaching others keeps you on your toes!

Keep on going for God!!

Eternal Life???

1 Timothy 4:8

“For physical training is of some value,

but godliness has value for all things,

holding promise for both the present life

and the life to come.”

Amen!

 

MOM Upside Down Is WOW!!

Standard

Have a Happy and Blessed Mom’s Day!!

This made you laugh!!

Perfection, right???

Now…

Go tell your kids to clean their rooms…

And eat their vegetables!!

3-15-14 Billy & Cheryl 063

Happy Mother’s Day!

3-15-14 Billy & Cheryl 268

Psalm 127: 3

“Children are a heritage from the Lord…”

Amen!

The Brandisa Tour Came To Town!!

Standard

It was a rockin’ worship service!!

We all sang along with Brandon Heath…

“Jesus In Disguise”

Plus:

“I’m Not Who I Was”

4-23-14 Mandisa 063

“Give Me Your Eyes”

4-23-14 Mandisa 072

“The Light In Me”

4-23-14 Mandisa 087

“Your Love”

 And with Mandisa:

“Overcomer”

4-23-14 Mandisa 115

Plus:

“Good Morning”

4-23-14 Mandisa 117

“My Deliverer”

4-23-14 Mandisa 135

“Stronger”

4-23-14 Mandisa 146

“Press On”

Psalm 100:1-2

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

 Serve the Lord with gladness:

come before his presence with singing.”

Psalm 98:4

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,   

burst into jubilant song with music;”

Psalm 95;1-2

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;   

let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before Him with thanksgiving   

and extol Him with music and song.”

Such a joyful evening!!

Amen!

The Reason I Haven’t Been Blogging…

Standard
The name
And the life situations
Have been changed to protect the innocent!
ME
But, really this has been my life
So-to-speak for months now!
 
I am driving
I am late for work
Spilling coffee down my whitest shirt
While I’m flossing and I’m changing lanes
Oh YeahNow I’m driving
Through the parking lot
Doing eighty, hey what the heck why not
Watch it lady, Cuz you’re in my spot
Once again, It’s early to work
And here’s a surprise, I got a
McMuffin for just 99 cents today
I think they ran a special[CHORUS:]
I can’t stand still Can I get a witness
Can you hear me Anybody, Anybody
I think I am running just to catch myselfMaybe someday I could fly away
Go to Key Largo or Montego Bay
Sport my Speedo, maybe grab a tan
DREAM VACATION, WILD ELATION
Now I’m running
Straight into my boss
And he’s angry, Oh and he calls me Ross
Which is funny, cause that ain’t my nameAnd that’s lame
I’m still running
Running very late, For a meeting
Wait, that was yesterday
Guess I’m early for the one next week, Oh how sweet
I get on the ladder, I corporately climb
I wave at my life as it passes me by everyday
My name’s not Ross!

[CHORUS]

Life in my cubicle is discreet, Life in my cubicle is neat
I’ve got some pictures of my friends
Some sharpened pencils…where’s my pen
Ten O’clock I’m in a meeting
Paper cut I think I’m bleeding
Check my hair it’s still receding, Hey what a life
Break for lunch, there’s nothing better
Run outside and don my sweater
Like Fred Rogers let’s be neighbors
I’ve lost my mind
I’m over worked, and underpaid, and non appreciated

It’s just a perk of being of being middle class and educated
One… spinning circles in my chair
Two…win a game of solitaire
Three… And I ponder where my stapler’s gone
Four O’clock and I stare at the door,
And I stare at my watch, Then I stare at the door
I stand by my desk like I’m going to war
There’s just one thing I’ll be needing
Grab my paycheck as I’m leaving
Oh oh oh oh oh oh ohhhhhhh
Five O’clock it’s time to go
There’s crowds to fight and time to blow
It’s talking fast on my cell phone
Hey, watch out that’s reckless driving!
Five O’clock

It’s time to hit the couch and watch TV
Set the clock and go to sleep
It’s 8 a.m. on Monday morning
Again and again and again and again and again
Driving around, no where to go
And so I hang with my lady,
Oh, and chill with my bros
It’s okay, in my Cabriolet

[CHORUS]

When I meet God, I will have a question
I just forgot the question
I think I am running just to catch myself
Oh oh oh
Oh oh o
Read more at http://www.lyrics.com/running-just-to-catch-myself-lyrics-mark-schultz.html#0F8UVQjfEzLrSXgf.99

I am driving

I am late for work

Spilling coffee

Down my whitest shirt

While I’m flossing

And I’m changing lanes

Oh, Yeah

Now I’m driving

Through the parking lot

Doing eighty

Hey, what the heck, why not

Watch it lady

‘Cause you’re in my spot

Once again

It’s early to work

And here’s a surprise

I got a McMuffin for just 99 cents today

I think they ran a special

I can’t stand still

Can I get a witness

Can you hear me

Anybody, anybody

I think I am running just to catch myself

Maybe someday I could fly away

Go to Key Largo or Montego Bay

Sport my speedo, maybe grab a tan

A dream vacation, wild elation

Now I’m running

Straight into my boss

And he’s angry

Oh, and he calls me Ross

Which is funny

‘Cause that ain’t my name

And that’s lame

I’m still running

Running very late

For a meeting

Wait, that was yesterday

Guess I’m early for the one next week

Oh, how sweet

I get on the ladder

I corporately climb

I wave at my life as it passes me by every day

My name’s not Ross

Life in my cubicle is discreet

Life in my cubicle is neat

I’ve got some pictures of my friends

Some sharpened pencils

Where’s my pen

Ten O’clock, I’m in a meeting

Paper cut, I think I’m bleeding

Check my hair, it’s still receding

Hey, what a life

Break for lunch

There’s nothing better

Run outside and don my sweater

Like Fred Rogers let’s be neighbors

I’ve lost my mind

I’m overworked

And underpaid

And non-appreciated

It’s just a perk of being

Middle class

And educated

One… spinning circles in my chair

Two…win a game of solitaire

Three… and I ponder where my stapler’s gone

Four o’clock and I stare at the door

And I stare at my watch

Then I stare at the door

I stand by my desk like I’m going to war

There’s just one thing I’ll be needing

Grab my paycheck as I’m leaving

Oh oh oh oh oh oh ohhhhhhhhh

It’s five o’clock

It’s time to go

There’s crowds to fight

And horns to blow

It’s talking fast on my cell phone

Hey, watch out, that’s reckless driving

Five o’clock

It’s time to leave

To hit the couch

And watch TV

Set the clock and go to sleep

It’s 8 am on Monday morning

Again and again and again and again and again

Driving around

Nowhere to go

And so I hang with my lady, oh

And chill with my bro’s

It’s okay, in my Cabriolet

I can’t stand still

Can I get a witness

Can you hear me

Anybody, anybody

I think I am running just to catch myself

When I meet God

I will have a question

I just forgot my question

I think I am running just to catch myself

Oh oh oh

Oh oh oh

Whew!!!!

I’m exhausted!!

Thank you, Lord for this weekend to relax and recover!!

Amen!

A Swarm Of Seniors!!

Standard
Proverbs 16:31

“Gray hair is a crown of splendor;   

it is attained in the way of righteousness.”

Fisherman's Village 8-17-11 001

It was sooo funny today…

 

My hubby took me to Fisherman’s Village…

 

http://fishville.com/

 

To get my long-awaited burger…

 

After my routine colonoscopy…

 

Which is such an awesome procedure…

 

NOT!!!

 

I took all the required meds yesterday…

 

And waited…

 

Finished getting my income tax ready to work on with hubby over the weekend…

 

Typed up two blogs…

 

And did various other things…

 

My son came home sick, guess he got it from me…

 

So I had to take care of him!

 

And still no potty time…

 

I could have taken a walk today…

 

But I thought I’d have to rush to the bathroom!! 

 

I don’t want to keep hopping in and out of bed tonight…

 

While I’m trying to get a restful sleep…

 

Please, Lord, let my plumbing work properly…

 

And let the results to be…

 

“Ok, see you in 3 years!!”

This is what we seniors talk about!!

Such lively conversation, huh???

Fisherman's Village 8-17-11 002

We haven’t been over to Fisherman’s Village in a while…

 

http://www.fishville.com/marina.html

 

And certainly not at lunch time in February…

 

At the height of “snow bird” season!!

 

Snowbirds are people who leave cold, northern winters…

 

By escaping to Florida!

 

If you don’t stay for at least half the year…

 

Then you’re a sunbird…

 

If you don’t come down here at all…

 

To escape the snow flakes…

 

Are you a flaky bird???

Fisherman's Village 8-17-11 003

Floridian’s Temperature Gauge:

74 degrees-

  Beautiful outside weather…

85 Degrees-

Beach and pool weather…

95 Degrees-

Too hot, stay in air conditioning…

Anything lower than 70 degrees is chilly…

Lower than 60 degrees is cold…

Lower than 50 degrees, we’re freezing!

http://EzineArticles.com/3282469

7-3-11Fisherman's Village 007 

We decided to go to the…

 

Village Fish Market Restaurant…

 

When I e-mailed my friend/hairdresser this story…

 

She said…

 

“How was your burger at the Village FISH Market??!!!!

 

LOL

 

That alone cracked me up!

 

That is tooo funny!

 

A client asked me how I can stand it with all the old peeps!

 

HaHaHa

 

And…..YES!

 

I was laughing hysterically thinking this is definitely…

 

BLOG MATERIAL

 

hahahahahhahhahaha!!”

She’s young, she doesn’t get it…

Wait her time will come!!!

Ha!

 

http://www.fishville.com/restaurants.html

“You don’t stop laughing because you grow old.

You grow old because you stop laughing.”

-Michael Pritchard-

 7-3-11Fisherman's Village 009

Well, we noticed that the…

 

Village Fish Market on the water was very crowded…

 

So, since we didn’t want to wait…

 

We sat by the door in the bar area…

 

Well, let me tell you…

 

Fisherman’s Village was like a Senior Citizen Reunion…

 

Not one young adult, teen, or child in the whole place!

 

I think every Senior in the world was at Fisherman’s Village at that exact time…

 

Walking past our window!

 

And me without my camera!!!!

 

It was Baby Boomer Heaven…

 

They were all dressed for summer…

 

Because our weather’s in the 70’s…

 

As compared to…

 

What’s yours???

 

Zero???  Or worse???

 

I had on black capri sweats…

 

Since I just came from the Surgi-Center…

 

No makeup…

 

 I wasn’t ready for the Florida Summertime Fashion Show…

 

I didn’t fit in!

 

Plus, I had a long sleeve denim shirt over my short-sleeve top…

 

Because I felt a little chilly!!

 

Ha!  What a hoot!

 

Yup!!!

 

They just kept comin’ in and out…

 

Walkin’ back and forth…

 

Meeting friends…

 

Talkin’

 

Like they hadn’t seen nice weather in their entire lives!!

I was still a little woozy from the anesthesia for my colonoscopy…

I thought at first that I was seeing things…

When, seemingly swarms of seniors…

Came out of the woodwork…

From everywhere…

Like an Old Folks Convention…

Is Tuesday Senior Day?

https://www.facebook.com/fishermensvillage

What a show!!

A Senior Fashion Show!

Snowbirds, sunbirds…

En mass with their Florida Lifestyle outfits…

Like a casting for a Beall’s “Florida Lifestyle” Outlet advertisement!

What an onslaught of walkers, canes, braces, wheel chairs, and orthotic sneakers…

I spend so much of my time with kids…

That I forget I’m old…

Elderly= 55 +

Some days I feel old…

Especially last week, when I was sick with a sinus infection…

But, Praise God!

They were so vibrant…

They made me feel young, and not alone…

So, since we’re right there with them…

And we’re old, too…

We just waltzed ourselves down that breezeway/runway…

Right out of there with them!

7-3-11Fisherman's Village 013

Then, later in the afternoon…

I took my walk…

And again saw old folks…

 

Strolling back to their condos, from the pool, in full beach gear…

 

Two guys in a boat looking at their catch of fish,

 

And one elderly couple approaching me going to the pool…

 

The old guy was wearing no shirt, bless his heart….

 

Gee, they all just must want to finally feel the sunshine on their skin!!

 

All this “old folks” conversation…

 

Brought back memories…

 

Of when we first brought our son, who was around five…

 

To Whiting, near Toms River, NJ…

 

To see Grandma and Grandpa’s new house…

 

We took him into the big grocery store…

 

Rode him around in the cart while we shopped…

 

And he kept looking around, looking around…

 

Finally he says,

 

“Gee, Mom, there are certainly a lot of Grandma’s and Grandpa’s down here!!!”

 

We laughed so hard!!

 

Well, that was me today…

I saw so many, many Grandma’s and Grandpa’s…

Wish you all were there with me!!

It was so funny!!

My cousin from NJ, e-mailed me…

“What’s so funny?  

Sounds like a warm, sunny, wonderful day for the old folks (like me)!!!!! :)”

Right!

And from my friend Marian…

“I got a kick out of your story about your funny day… 

I’ve noticed a few of those ‘old folks’ around our neighborhood, too…

But mostly driving cars like they think they may break (not brake)…

If they turn the wheel too sharp. 

I wonder how they got all the way from places like Ontario and New York! 

Just last night, we had a couple over…

And talked about how we have become the ‘older’ generation.”

Yikes, it’s true!!!

“Inside every older person

is a younger person wondering what happened.

-Jennifer Yane-

So Come On Down!!!

The state of Florida is the southernmost state on the continental United States,

boasting both peninsula and panhandle landforms.

Due to its location as the closest U.S. state to the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator,

Florida is renowned for its exceptionally sunny, but humid, tropical climate.

Known by other state nicknames such as

“Alligator State,”

“Orange State” and

“Everglade State,”

the nickname “Sunshine State”

was officially adopted by the Florida Legislature in 1970.

The nickname appeals to “snowbird” tourists who,

especially during cold winters in the northern climates,

visit Florida for its spectacular weather and warm beaches.

In 2011, tourism is the largest industry in the state

and one of the top domestic and international destinations in the world.

Spanish explorer Ponce DeLeon was the first European to explore Florida.

He named it Pascua de Florida or “Feast of Flowers” for the succulent flora and abundant flowers.

Florida has a humid subtropical to full tropical climate,

with abundantly sunny days and a mean daily temperature of 71°F.

Despite its wide variety of temperatures of near 100°F

to sub-zero temperatures throughout the year,

Florida is the warmest state in the United States, on average.

http://www.wisegeek.com/why-is-florida-called-the-sunshine-state.htm

Royal Palm Christmas Dec.2010 001

Dedicated to all seniors…

In loving memory of my Mom, Tina!

Miss you, Mommy!

What Hoops Are You Jumpin’ Through???

Standard

Words From a Father to His Daughter

(From the Makeup Aisle)

self-image

Reblogged from:  http://drkellyflanagan.com/?s=makeup+aisle&submit=Search

Dear Little One,

As I write this, I’m sitting in the makeup aisle of our local Target store. A friend recently texted me from a different makeup aisle and told me it felt like one of the most oppressive places in the world. I wanted to find out what he meant. And now that I’m sitting here, I’m beginning to agree with him. Words have power, and the words on display in this aisle have a deep power. Words and phrases like:

Affordably gorgeous,

Infallible,

Flawless finish,

Brilliant strength,

Liquid power,

Go nude,

Age defying,

Instant age rewind,

Choose your dream,

Nearly naked, and

Natural beauty.

When you have a daughter you start to realize she’s just as strong as everyone else in the house—a force to be reckoned with, a soul on fire with the same life and gifts and passions as any man. But sitting in this store aisle, you also begin to realize most people won’t see her that way. They’ll see her as a pretty face and a body to enjoy. And they’ll tell her she has to look a certain way to have any worth or influence.

But words do have power and maybe, just maybe, the words of a father can begin to compete with the words of the world. Maybe a father’s words can deliver his daughter through this gauntlet of institutionalized shame and into a deep, unshakeable sense of her own worthiness and beauty.

A father’s words aren’t different words, but they are words with a radically different meaning:

Brilliant strength. May your strength be not in your fingernails but in your heart. May you discern in your center who you are, and then may you fearfully but tenaciously live it out in the world.

Choose your dream. But not from a department store shelf. Find the still-quiet place within you. A real dream has been planted there. Discover what you want to do in the world. And when you have chosen, may you faithfully pursue it, with integrity and with hope.

Naked. The world wants you to take your clothes off. Please keep them on. But take your gloves off. Pull no punches. Say what is in your heart. Be vulnerable. Embrace risk. Love a world that barely knows what it means to love itself. Do so nakedly. Openly. With abandon.

Infallible. May you be constantly, infallibly aware that infallibility doesn’t exist. It’s an illusion created by people interested in your wallet. If you choose to seek perfection, may it be in an infallible grace—for yourself, and for everyone around you.

Age defying. Your skin will wrinkle and your youth will fade, but your soul is ageless. It will always know how to play and how to enjoy and how to revel in this one-chance life. May you always defiantly resist the aging of your spirit.

Flawless finish. Your finish has nothing to do with how your face looks today and everything to do with how your life looks on your last day. May your years be a preparation for that day. May you be aged by grace, may you grow in wisdom, and may your love become big enough to embrace all people. May your flawless finish be a peaceful embrace of the end and the unknown that follows, and may it thus be a gift to everyone who cherishes you.

Little One, you love everything pink and frilly and I will surely understand if someday makeup is important to you. But I pray three words will remain more important to you—the last three words you say every night, when I ask the question: “Where are you the most beautiful?” Three words so bright no concealer can cover them.

Where are you the most beautiful?

On the inside.

From my heart to yours,

Daddy

Like the last letter I wrote to my daughter, I wrote this first for her and the day I’ll eventually read it to her. But I also wrote it for every woman who needs to hear the words of a father. Women, no one else can define your beauty for you. But they’ll try.

My daughter is four years-old now. If her awakening to the makeup aisle comes at the typical age, I figure we have about five years to radically alter the arc of history and the subjugation-by-image of the female gender. We’ve got a lot of work to do. And it begins in the heart of each and every woman.

You can leave a comment by clicking here.

Audio: Click here to hear an audio version of this post

Next Post: “The Key to a Man’s Heart (and Why He Gets Road Rage)”

Free eBook: My eBook, The Marriage Manifesto: Turning Your World Upside Down, is available free to new blog subscribers. If you are not yet a subscriber, you can click here to subscribe, and your confirmation e-mail will include a link to download the eBook. Or, the book is also now available for Kindle and Nook

Disclaimer: My writings represent a combination of my own personal opinions and my professional experiences, but they do not reflect professional advice. Interaction with me via the blog does not constitute a professional therapeutic relationship. For professional and customized advice, you should seek the services of a counselor who can dedicate the hours necessary to become more intimately familiar with your specific situation. I do not assume liability for any portion or content of material on the blog and accept no liability for damage or injury resulting from your decision to interact with the website.

Kelly is a licensed clinical psychologist, practicing at Alliance Clinical Associates in Wheaton, IL. He is also a writer and blogs regularly about the redemption of our personal, relational, and communal lives. Kelly is married, has three children, and enjoys learning from them how to be a kid again. You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

I agree…

So does God!!