"Oh girl hush and sit still! I'm trying to finish your hair for school in the morning. It's picture day baby girl."

"Owwwwweeeeeee!

Mamma do you have to pull so hard? I can barely move my face."

"Mamma, did your mamma do your hair every Sunday like mine?"

Yes baby girl, my mamma did my hair just like yours. She showed me how beautiful my hair is when I was a baby girl like you and had no idea.

What do you mean Mamma? Can you show me?

Well baby girl, your hair is your crown. You just have to take care of it and most definitely, embrace it. Your hair is yours and you are beautiful baby girl.

Don't let anyone tell you different!

"Hi. I'm Lilly.

I want to tell you about being an 8yr old.

I'm sorry you had to see all of that pain that I was going through.

Pheww, glad that's over!

My Mamma does my hair for me every Sunday, but she had to do it again this week on a Thursday because it 's picture day this morning!

Okay well I gotta go, I'll see you at school! You can meet all of my friends!"

Now Lilly is on her way to school thinking aloud

"I have so much hair! Everywhere I go it is always there!

I'm different than the other kids at school. My skin is dark and my hair is thick and shiny.

Sometimes I wish I could be a little like the other kids too. just so I don't have to stand out as much. Mamma tells me that being different makes me unique and beautiful. I try to believe her but sometimes the kids at school get to me.

Especially Tom.

My mamma did my hair so pretty today fr picture day, I hope Tom does not say anything mean.

Even if he does, I won't let him bring me down!"

Teacher:

Alright Class, Everyone line up in alphabetical order.

We're going to the gym to take your pictures.

Once we lined up our teacher let us know we would have recess right after pictures and it would be a long one... what a day!

I was so excited because I love taking pictures and playing outside.

I know that my pictures will be great because my mamma told me to love myself and my crown on the top of my head.

This is great! WOOHOO!

It turns out picture day is really a big deal when you get to be in 3rd grade.. they let you pick out the color of the background and everything. I'm starting to like this.. I was even practicing my smile like mama said.

I keep telling myself that I have a crown on my head and I am a beautiful!

No one can take my joy away and I am going to

have a great day!