by Cedric Wells
I took part in a holiday party back in December at a Family Resource Center located in the Atlanta metro area. It was an event that allowed single mothers to be in one ballroom to enjoy a well-prepared meal and fellowship; while the kids were in another room with volunteers playing, talking, and watching a movie. One of the extras is that gifts were provided to the kids and for the kids to give to their mom. The gifts provided to the kids were a set of books.
The books given to the kids were prepared to be age appropriate for each kid. Well there was one little girl that was very sad (tears being shed) with the books she received. She really wanted a princess book that some of the younger girls received. I think some of the other volunteers may have thought she was being ungrateful. Once I sat down with her to get her to stop crying, I asked her about the tears. She went on to tell me that she doesn’t like “chapter” books…she likes princess books. I realized her sadness wasn’t solely based on her liking princess books. The root of the matter was the chapter books she received was not age appropriate for her. A simple mistake made by the volunteers distributing the books.
I then starting talking to her about princesses and asked her if she was a princess. She said no she wasn’t but that she had princess items at home. I told her that she is a princess and that every little girl is a princess. She then told me something that really struck a chord with me as a father. She said, “My daddy doesn’t call me a princess.” Without even thinking, I told her that she is a princess and that she will always be a princess know matter what. I felt a lot better when her tears dried up and we then found a book that she liked and read it from cover to cover. By the time the party was over, she was all smiles again and greeted her mother with a big smile of party enjoyment.
Now initially I was wondering who the father was and why doesn’t he tell his daughter that she is a princess and that she is his little princess. I realized that maybe that’s something some fathers don’t say to their daughters.
It is my belief that every little girl should feel as though she is a princess and hear those words…and if possible, that acclamation should come from the father. I think I tell my 2-year old daughter every day that she is my beautiful black princess…if not every day, then I know it’s at least 6 days of the week. And I know she receives it.
So to all the “Pops” out there, as we continue to raise our daughter(s), tell her that she is your princess and you love her. Even if she is grown, tell her. I feel this is one of the best gifts we can give to our daughters…making them feel they are royalty to us.
Cedric Wells is an Atlanta-based artist and writer that is driven to make a difference in the world around him. Along with his art, Cedric’s writings are focused on inspiring individuals to do better than they think they can”...including himself. He has been married to his beautiful wife, Christel, for 8 years; and they have also been entrusted by God to raise three awesome children.