Happy girls are the prettiest girls

Waylin’s school puts on a wax museum every year for the second graders.

I remember being in a wax museum in grade school. We did not get to choose who we would be. I ended up drawing Helen Keller and I remember thinking “How am I going to be her?” Helen Keller was a disability rights advocate who become the first deaf and blind person to earn a degree and inspired many through her achievements and advocacy.

If you don’t know what a wax museum is in the context of school, kids portray famous people and typically have a button that guests push to hear their life story and accomplishments.

My 10 year old brain was like “how do I talk when she couldn’t talk or hear.” I came up with the idea of recording my voice on an old tape recorder to give the authentic feel of her real circumstances. I stood there in silence as the tape played. It was brilliant honestly, but I knew Waylin would want to be someone else!

She got to pick three famous people and then her teacher would choose who she would ultimately be. Waylin’s top three were:

• Audrey Hepburn

• Coco Chanel

• Dolly Parton

Her third choice was not her favorite, but her grandma really liked Dolly Parton! She was hopeful to get Audrey because she loved that she was a ballerina, a fashion icon, and did a lot of work with Goodwill. :) Waylin said she is a mini Audrey because she is also in ballet, loves fashion and going to Goodwill! Haha!

She did a really great job and I am so proud of her!

A thought ran through my mind during the wax museum and it was: Show up. Every chance you get. Your kids may not remember every gift you bought or every toy they received, but they'll remember that you were there. Being present tells them, "You matter. You're worth my time. I'm proud of you."

The feeling of being loved, supported, and chosen again and again will stay with them. Those moments become the foundation they build their confidence on.

Keep showing up. It matters more than you'll ever know.