Gravity

I had a moment on my drive to campus. You know the kind of moment I'm talking about. It's the kind that *should* have dawned on you before, and it's like you already know it, but all of a sudden, you *really* know it.

I was waiting at a stop light and uncharacteristically flipped my radio dial from NPR to a music station. Pink's song, Perfect, was on. As she belted out the emotional chorus, I teared up.

Pretty, pretty please
Don't you ever, ever feel
Like you're less
Less than perfect
Pretty, pretty please
If you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing
You're perfect to me.

I've always felt very strongly about validating and encouraging young women. Sentiments like this song resonate with me. But, along my drive, the gravity of having one young woman, in particular, that would become very suseptible to my influence really hit me. I will have a step daughter.

Several of the talks during this last weekend's General Conference carried messages that I know I needed to internalize. One of them that felt particularly relevant was actually spoken to fathers about raising girls. You can watch it here. I remember thinking it was great information and advice, and I felt a sense of peace knowing OaG was listening to it at the same time I was.

Earlier today, although I've known that getting married means becoming a stepmom, I *really* got it. Whew! Big responsibilities. I hope I can keep up my strength to help do whatever I can to aid in them growing up to be their very best selves and ready to conquer the world (or at lease do a whole lot of good in it).