February 15, 2022

"I tried, momma. I really tried," Opal whispered when I pulled my hand back from petting her. Her soft white furs just bathed and brushed out on Sunday were matted at her neck where she had been rolling.

I took a breath and looked at the big view. "Sweet Opal, when i was a child my father believed that girls should always wear pretty dresses. He made my sisters and I comply even though it made us unhappy. We began to quietly rebel by hiding slacks in our book bags and changing when we were away from the house. It made all of us less as a result."

"Why would he try to make you what you were not?" she asked me. "Exactly my point. It would have been so much better if everyone could have been themselves without having to hide. I do not want to make you change. Be yourself and if that means rolling and getting yucky...well, then we will just clean up after. I you to be happy, healthy and safe; that is what is important."

"Momma, thank you for understanding. I was worried you would get mad at me. Maybe dad can help wash up my neck, then it would sure be nice if you wrapped me in a towel and cuddled me."