Acceptance

Age six,

with a gap in between her teeth,

she looks in the mirror and

laughs, as she sticks her tongue through the gap.

Age eight,

she notices a few changes,

her momma says,

"It's normal."

Age ten,

she notices even more changes,

her momma says,

"It'll be alright."

Age twelve,

new school, new people,

she is nervous but is also comfortable with these changes,

she says to herself, "I will be okay."

Age fourteen,

she dates a guy that changes her

forever.  She hates herself.  

She is not okay.

Age sixteen,

she starts to feel loved by herself,

she focuses on herself,

"I am going to be okay."

Age eighteen,

she looks into the mirror,

hair up, no makeup on, and she says,

"I am beautiful.  I am okay."