The 9 things I’m genuinely sorry for

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1
When I first saw Sleeping Beauty and I longed for you to be like her
Flat, still, blond… Almost dead
I was five years old and I wanted you to be dead-like

2
For hating to pick out beads for you when my mom styled you every three weeks
The beads made you stand out
All I wanted to do was keep you plain
I stole our light from us

3
Being jealous of the ponytails of my teammates
They would fly free in the wind during track practice, while you just bounced around my neck
Your shortness saved me from the uncomfortable grab of hair ties

4
For all the times I wouldn’t defend you in braids
I had forgotten that braids made you shorter
That’s all I would see, so you became odd
I had forgotten that short didn’t mean ugly

5
Keeping you straight for two weeks
You were just so… Boring
Enough said

6
When I didn’t take care of you when I was away from my mom
At sleepovers I felt embarrassed with my purple scarf shielding you
I would rip off your blanket and you would be at the mercy of a dry pillow for at least ten hours
It must have been torture

7
How long it took me to realize that curly was cool
I had become comfortable with you in braids
Setting you free was one of the hardest things I did for us

8
For not seeing you’re advantages for years
You’re easy to style, change, twist, morph, dress-up, dress-down, etc.
I can do more things with you than any of my friends can do with theirs
But I was still jealous of them?
I know right, ridiculous
 
9
It took me eighteen years to say this
Let that sink in
Now you know it’s not a lie
It’s not for anyone else
Just you
I love you my hair
I’m sorry that it took me so long to figure that out


 

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