Maybe it begins with Sesame Street and all the talk about one of these things not being like the other. Maybe it starts when kids are told to "x" out the items that don't fit whether it's the "M's" that are mixed in with the "A's" or the short vowel words that shouldn't be with the long vowel words.
(Woman by Abby.)
Whatever it is, for many different is not good. Different is different. It cannot fit in, it cannot be made sense of and it either needs to become like the things around it or it needs to be "x-ed" out.
It's only when different becomes exceptional that it is appreciated. The problem is, most things different get assimilated into average before they have the chance to become exceptional. This is my fear for my nine year old, Abby.
(Man with Hand on Chin. By Abby.)
She is different. I have been told repeatedly that she is, as if as her mother I was unaware of this fact. She thinks differently. She dresses differently. She IS different! But in the words of Roald Dahl, "We're all different. Especially [her]. But there's something kind of fantastic about that isn't there?"
(Father and daughter giraffes. By Abby)
So, I try to show her the fantastic-ness of her differences. I try to find ways to compat the onslaught of criticsm from unappreciative peers, the molding of well intentioned teachers and the judgement of a society that wants to "x" out the ones that don't fit in.
(Man in hat. By Abby)
On that note, I emailed some of her drawings to an artist that she finds very inspiring. Her name is Ingela P Arrhenius. She was so kind as to post two of Abby's pieces on her blog next to her paintings that inspired Abby. And, as her proud mother, I was so excited to have my "different" daughter appreciated, celebrated and declared wonderful. It really is the best mother's day gift ever. Thanks for letting me share it with you!
(Man in suit. By Abby)
Here's to everyone out there that is different. Here's to all their friends and family that let them be so. Here's to all the teachers that inspired them in their differences and didn't try to make them fit in. Here's to all the different ones that found exceptional. The world is beautiful because of you.
