VOICELESS

If you had taken the time to tell me that there was more to life than hair, nails, makeup, clothes and having an hourglass shape, than just maybe I would still have a voice. Now, I lay here voiceless because you did not take the time to tell me. Was it more important for you to be my friend? Why didn’t you speak up when you knew I was an attention seeker? Why did you allow me to parade my body on social media, when you knew it your heart it was inappropriate? I was young, impressionable, and had my entire life ahead of me. Now voiceless, I lay here, looking at you with tears in your eyes.

Did you not understand; as a young girl, I was simply doing what made me feel good. I thought it was acceptable to dress promiscuously because you and I shopped together, and you purchased the clothes. You were consciously aware of the hours I spent on my appearance, trying to look flawless. I had more freedom than my other friends, and I did not understand when my friends told me their parents monitored their social media accounts. When I mentioned it to you, you said, “Their parents were just too strict.”

Then it happened, and I was noticed. This person told me I was beautiful and intelligent; they got my attention. They wanted to know my likes, my dislikes, my hobbies, and what made me passionate about life. They took the time to tell me that it was more to life than hair, nails, makeup, clothes, and an hourglass shape. They became my secret confidant. I trusted them with my most intimate thoughts, I even told them about you. How you allowed me the freedom of expression because it was more important for you to be my friend. They taught me what was acceptable and unacceptable in the society that I live in. They taught me how to dress and conduct myself as a young respectable teenage girl.

My thought process shifted, I began to behave differently, and you did not notice. I changed, but I was still a child that needed to be protected because I was unaware that I was headed down the wrong path. My secret confidant, took me by the hand and guided me down a path, and now I lay here voiceless because you did not tell me about him. I was respectful, did my chores, rarely got in trouble, attended church, and excelled academically. I had my entire life ahead of me, but you wanted a friend. Now it is too late to tell me, it is more to life than hair, nails, makeup, clothes, and an hourglass shape.

Please take the time to tell your daughters; it is more to life than hair, nails, makeup, clothes, and an hourglass shape, and especially tell them about HIM! It is acceptable to be their friend, but it is more important to protect them.