You were the center of most of my childhood play. I dressed and undressed you a thousand times. I drove you around in your hot pink Corvette and tucked you into your white canopy bed. I cried when my younger sister popped your head off and enjoyed creating the perfect wedding for you and Ken. It makes me so sad to see you always under attack it must make you so sad.
I’m so sorry that you’ve been picked on for your shape. I can feel your pain. It’s not your fault you were made thin anymore then it’s mine that I was made the same way. I don’t think anyone thinks that woman who are thin go through ‘body shaming’…so wrong. I only wish that I would have been bolder in defending myself when others have harshly told me I had no say in an outfit they were selecting because I am thin. I love fashion and wanted to help. I wish I would have spoken up to the two women in a mommy group when they harassed me for losing all my baby weight so quickly after having my fourth baby. I wish I would have been able to tell them that I had postpartum depression so badly I was barely eating and it took every ounce of energy to shower and show up that day. I know it isn’t not your fault that they spoke to me that way. I know that it isn’t your fault I didn’t defend myself.
Barbie, I loved being able to share you with my only daughter. I loved that we could sit together and create new trendy outfits by combining the clothes I had from when I was young with the new clothes she had gotten for her Barbie’s. I pray that I have encouraged her in the beauty of herself. That she is made in God’s image and is perfect just the way she is. That her beauty starts with the beauty that lies inside her heart. That her gifts and talents when used for worship add to her beauty. My hope is that I have equipped her in His Word so that she doesn’t ever feel she isn’t enough. I hope she never has anyone tell her that her opinion doesn’t matter because she is too young, doesn’t have the right letters behind her name or doesn’t come from the right area. I have been subject to all those things and so many more. And I let them change me. I let someone else determine my worth. I let someone’s words tear me down. I wish I would have been strong enough to not let that happen. I wish I would have leaned on God instead of yearning for their approval.
I’m sorry that women say you are the reason for eating disorders and bad body image, what a huge weight to bare. I watched my younger cousin just 12 years old at the time almost vanish before my eyes from anorexia. Her and I used to play with you together. Her illness was not your fault. I hope you are able to find freedom in that. I pray for children like her everyday and hope they find strength in the Lord like she did and go on to live healthy full lives. I know that doesn’t always happen and my heart breaks for them and their mommas and their friends.
In my seven years of being a part of the skincare and cosmetic industry I have helped over a thousand women with their needs. How sad it is to hear the stories from women who have had acne so badly they wouldn’t go to bed without makeup on, or who’s parent’s punished them for not washing enough. These women in their 30’s-60’s still struggle and it’s not because of you. Several of these women have been women I have looked up to, admired professionally and spiritually and had no idea what their struggles were. I hope together we can encourage women that they are beautiful, and that beauty starts on the inside. I wish that all women were taught before the age of even being able to hold a Barbie that they matter, that they are gifted and that they are loved. I pray we will embrace the mind, body, spiritual connection for a healthy life; that we will surround ourselves with people who empower us in this way. I pray that we remember our words matter, and that how we speak to each other matters. My hope is we are not so caught up in what is happening around us that we forget what is in front of us.
It’s not your fault you love fashion! Nor is it mine. Nor was it my fault that I was called names in high school after earning the title ‘best dressed’ my senior year. And it’s also not your fault that I would love to buy a gorgeous lacy bra that actually fits, but none of the stores near me carry an almost ‘A’ cup. I’m ok with it, they nourished four healthy babies. It’s also not your fault that my rear is bigger than any other part of me and it makes buying pants virtually impossible. I love skirts and I like how they look and feel, and I’m ok with wearing tights when it’s cold out. I don’t harbor any ill feelings towards you, nor have I ever been in a dressing room and thought about you once. Am I completely confident in how I look, not always, but I am thankful I am healthy, I am thankful you gave me a body to carry my gorgeous children into this life in, so if I have a few stretch marks and cellulite, that’s ok with me, it doesn’t define me. I am thankful that I have learned where to place my inadequacies and failures, at His feet. I pray we can encourage each other as women in our fashion choices, in the styles available to us and in the way we present ourselves. Because a confident woman never goes out of style.
I’m sorry that I’ve allowed myself to compare myself to others. I’m sorry that I have allowed myself to feel unfit as a mother and to second guess my choices for my children. I’m sorry I have judged other woman and been intimidated to talk to them, they have amazing things to share with me I’ve discovered. My inadequacies were not created due to playing with a doll, they were created by not putting my trust wholly in the only One that matters. My identity is in Christ.
Barbie I wish you find peace. I wish you find peace with who you are, what your purpose is and how you have touched so many lives. I pray that in the midst of controversy you pray for those who go against you, you pray for a new generation of women who lift each other up, rejoice in each other’s joy and encourage each other. Because I don’t really think it matters what size you are, we all can use a little reassurance once in awhile. I pray that as women we can grow our self esteem to receive and generously, genuinely give compliments. I pray that we deliver a generation of strong women who are so embedded in The Truth there is no room for anything else.
Thank you for all the wonderful hours of play you have given me. Thank you for growing my imagination, my sense of style, my love of women. I have spent countless hours with women, teens and girls. I have heard their stories, I have read their stories, I have lived some of their stories with them while holding their hands. I have developed a deep desire to cultivate greatness in women’s lives. I have laughed, cried and hugged women through life. From my mother, sister, sisters and mother-in-law, cousins and friends of every race, religion, ethnic background, size and shape through times of sorrow, joy, pain and celebration. Not once has it been about you. Thank you for surviving for so many decades that I was able to share you with my daughter and my nieces. You have brought great joy into many of our lives.
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