I used to hate the color pink. Pink was just SO pink. So predictable. It seemed weak, maybe even a little lazy. Like the type of color that waited around for things to happen to it . Waited to be helped. Waited for the chance to be noticed. Hot pink is obviously a loud color, but it never seemed very pro-active to me. And why did every girl toy and piece of clothing have to be pink?
Clearly, I’ve spent a good amount of time fixating on this.
Fast forward to the 28th year of my life, when my sweet and sassy Ava was born. I kept the pink at bay at first, re-gifting her pink clothes. Registering for non-pink STEM toys on Amazon. I even managed to avoid Disney Princesses for the first 2.5 years of her life. It wasn’t until last week, that she discovered what a Barbie was.
But this girl LOVES pink. Pink glitter, pink shoes, pink birthday cakes, pink tutus, pink swimsuits. Even her room is currently painted pink (a soft coral pink). Yes, we went to Lowe’s on several different occasions, and every single time she gravitated towards the pink swatch sections.
Ava: “Mommy, I want this color for my room.”
Me: “Are you sure, Ava? What about this shade of aqua or this sunny yellow.?”
Ava: “No, I want pink.”
Despite my best efforts, Ava was innately drawn to the color pink. My mom was thrilled, seeing as how she has adored the color pink for as long as I can remember.
And slowly, but surely I became a believer in pink. It’s definitely still not my favorite color. But I’m warming up to it more and more. Because I know Ava. My sweet, sassy gardening, painting, dinosaur lovin’, dancing, story-telling, beach going, magical Ava Lilikoi.
Yes, pink is just color and it might not always be her favorite, but there’s something to be said for a girl that knows what she wants out of life. Even when people like her mama, are constantly trying to change her mind.
So dearest grown up adult Ava, if I could tell you one thing it would be, “Don’t lose your tenacity, baby girl. Don’t lose your grit. Your uniqueness that makes you, you. If you know what you want out of life, go and grab it by the horns. Hush all the naysayers, because life is yours for the making. You’ve got to, GET IT GIRL!”
Even if the getting happens to occur while you’re wearing a pink tutu.
Love you always.
Mama.
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