A prayer for girls

Let her be strong
Let her be angry
Let her run wild and screaming
Her hair trailing behind her


Let her dress muddy
Scooping squiggling tadpoles in her bare hands
Let her knees scrape
Chasing her dreams and maybe catching them
Let her cry
Wiping her tears with your sleeve


Give permission to her fear
But do not be its cause
Let her build
Let her break
Show her cause and effect
Allowing her to recognize actions are impact


Let her be whole
Let her be ferocious
Compassionate
Worthy


Hold her up and never down
Leave the doors to her future unlocked
Let her explore every room
Hold her hand when she reaches for it


Teach her a firm handshake
To look men in the eye
To tell the truth always
To say no - loudly
Tell her safe and sorry are not mutually exclusive
But sorry can be better than safe some days
And that you are always safe