Why American Beautiful?  Because Mom said so: because according to her, my t-shirt said so.  I had just told her she is beautiful.  She likes being told that.  It matters to her.  Even after emergency surgery the day after Christmas to remove several tumors from her brain, it matters.  That is why after I told her she is beautiful.  She looked at my shirt and said, “you are beautiful, too, Heather.  If you ever forget, look at your shirt and read it.  It says ‘you are an American Beautiful’.”  It doesn’t matter that my shirt, in fact, did not say, ‘you are an American Beautiful’. 

What matters is Mom.  Beauty of all types matters to Mom.  She wants Dad to notice the vibrant (she used the word beautiful) photographs in her rooms in icu after her surgery.  She wants him to see that they are “beautiful”.  He won’t; or, if he does, he own’t tell her.  But that doesn’t matter to Mom.  What matters to Mom is the beauty.  She always has, and always will see the beauty around her… and the beauty in the people around her.  And she always wants to be seen for her beauty… her true beauty… her inner beauty.

She points out how attractive each nurse is, both male and female.  Not in a catty way, not at all.  Rather, in a way that is almost innocently honest, pointing out their attractive qualities right in front of them, as if they aren’t present.  It is a sweet recognition of fact that we all possess beauty.

Yes, Mom’s brain has been through trauma.  And right now her thoughts tend to fixate on something that was previously discussed.  And I do tell Mom daily that she is beautiful.  But I know her open appreciation for beauty is genuine and sincere.  How do I know?  Because it matters to her to tell me I am beautiful.  Because, even fresh out of surgery, and with a long road to recovery for her, she remembers to tell me that I need to find an esthetician local to her that is as good as waxing her lip as I am!

Like all of us, Mom’s image of beauty for her Self matters to her.  Because she can see the beauty in all those around her.  Not superficial beauty.  Beauty that has nothing to do with size, shape, color, age, or health.  Beauty that transcends society’s parameters.  Mom needs, as we all do, to be able to see her own enduring inner beauty during this very tumultuous time in her life.  And I plan to help make that happen….

But I want to help make it happen for some other Goddesses who deserve some help revealing their inner beauty, as well.  So today begins my “American Beautiful” Essay Contest.  Nominate a female in your life who has traveled a journey of trials and tribulations that has strengthened her into a Beauty that transcends the commonly accepted connotation of beauty in America.  A woman who, regardless of scars, illness, stretch marks, size, shape, or color radiates a Beauty so vibrant it can only be her inner goddess shining through.

To nominate someone as an American Beautiful, please submit an essay of 250 words or less describing why this person deserves to win.  Essays must be submitted by no later than 11:59 pm January 31.  Please submit essays to: [email protected]
Two essays will be chosen no later than February 5th, 2013.  Winners will each receive two customized facial treatments, brow shaping, facial hair removal if appropriate, custom mineral make-over, two yoga sessions, a photo session, and more.