When I was a girl...

"I won't forget when Peter Pan came to my house, took my hand
I said I was a boy; I'm glad he didn't check.
I learned to fly, I learned to fight
I lived a whole life in one night
We saved each other's lives out on the pirate's deck."

From "When I was a Boy" by Dar Williams

Daddy remembers the first time he heard that song. Dar Williams describes what it was like to be a child when gender roles were not the focus of one's life. When little girls could be little boys and play in the dirt, learn to fly, and run around topless like little boys. At the same time, little boys could play with dolls, easy-bake ovens, write poetry and enjoy the flowers.

Daddy holding one of your aunt's posters.

Daddy never stopped being a girl in the sense that the beautiful things still amaze him, he enjoys poetry, loves the theater, and is in awe of the motion of a horse at play.

Daddy holding your aunt's puppy

There will a time in your life that hammer nails, climbing trees, and belching will be okay. In fact, Daddy believes that time will last forever.

After grandpa played Santa Claus at an orphanage in Mexico.

But there will also be a time when compassion will rule your life, where understanding is needed and when you need to be a girl, showing compassion, love and strength. Everyone has it in them it's just that sometimes the tenderness side needs to show. Sadly we call that being a girl but in reality it is just being human.

Daddy forced to be a girl...