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Worth more than gold.

Well....I was going to bed early tonight.  However, I received a text from a sister at about 7:50 pm. "Miss America pageant....10 minute warning. "  Now for any of you that have spent much time at the Dunn house growing up....you know that all talking...homework...etc ceases when a pageant is on.  As strange as this may seem, it was actually a Dunn girl/Papa Dirk tradition.  Yea...I said it.  Papa Dirk was a part of this special family time too.  Although he would FAKE that he was only watching to prove us wrong that our "picks" were not really worthy of the crown.  Then, he would end up sitting through the whole competition and celebrate loudly when his "pick" stole the crown.

Growing up in a family of girls, there were always lots of dressing up, talent competitions, performances, and pageants in the family living room.  So watching REAL pageants on t.v. became another one of those friendly competitions.  We would all pick our favorites and cheer them on to the end.  And of course laugh....and joke when someone said something ridiculous...tripped walking down the runway...and not to forget...the sometimes hideous talents.

Now as an adult, you think we would have moved on from all these childish ways...well most of them anyway.  So yes...I am currently sitting, watching the Miss America competition and may/ may not have a written list of my top 5....no shame. :)  However, my perspective has changed as an adult and as a mom.

Watching tonight, I am amazed by the many remarkable women that are a part of the competition.  Women of many different walks of life...many with poise, strength, compassion and humor.  Tonight their character, struggles, and realness seems to be more evident than I ever remember witnessing.   Which has got me thinking more about America's definition of beauty today.  Is is really changing??  Could it be...that strength and character are becoming more defining than physical appearance? I pray that it is and that Rylee will listen to the right messages when she is searching for that definition.  A message that is not defined by what the world says is beautiful...but the message that she has been made beautiful by the One who made the stars.

It's been a while since I've felt encouraged by how beauty is portrayed in the media.  Okay...I still struggle with the swimsuits...they just look SO uncomfortable and we could totally see how buff they are in workout gear.   BUT contestants jammin' to "....You're Worth More than Gold..." by Britt Nicole.......women with disabilities competing.....service women competing......proud Miss America viewer tonight :)

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