She is 6 1/2. After I took her braids down I took her into the bathroom to look in the mirror and told her how beautiful her hair was. At first she said my hair looks crazy. But I told her no, it is beautiful. I said look at it. I told her that our hair did not grow down, but up, toward the stars. I put her fingers on her coils and said feel them. She smiled. Then I shampoo'd and conditioned her hair.
That's when she said, Mommy, I love my hair.
Then she and I made up a hair style. Twists in the back, a puff on top, and one twist hanging in the front. Her back twists almost reach armpit when stretched. She shook those little twists with so much pride. I told her to always remember how beautiful her hair is and that God did not make any mistakes. I told her to never let anyone make her not like her hair. I told her that her hair could do things that other people's couldn't.
I'm just glad I'm finally getting it right...