wonder woman

Let me preface this by saying I do not know Nancy Jundi.
Even so, when I saw the shared post on my friend's facebook page, I had to stop and read it.
You see, she had been mistaken for Wonder Woman by a little girl.

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Stopped for coffee this morning at 7 eleven (don't judge) and when a little girl saw me she hid behind her mother and screamed.

When she started crying I felt really bad and had no idea what I'd done. Her mother bent down to comfort her and asked what happened. The little girl whispered something and then the mother turned to look at me.

"She thinks you're Wonder Woman," whispered the mom in broken English. "You're her favorite... Could you... I'm so sorry..."

"OF COURSE!!!!"

So I bent down and had the sweetest most encouraging conversation with a 4 year old that I ever ever had outside of my own nieces.

"Why aren't you wearing your uniform?" Sofia asked.
"Well, I work with non super heroes for most of the day - even though we do super hero stuff on the computer."

"So you fight the bad guys on the computer?" she asked.
"Sometimes, yes, but we also build some really cool stuff, too."

"But when do you wear your boots and tiara? When do you fight crime with your bracelets?" she wondered.

"Lots. Lots and lots. I love my boots - and I'll tell you a secret, even when you can't see my tiara, I'm wearing a crown. It's like my Invisible Jet. Wanna touch it?"

She froze.
She was so excited.
She touched my head and smiled.
She said "You have hair just like mine!"
So I asked her if she'd like my crown.
"I have more, promise, but I want you to have this one."
She was so happy.
So, so happy.

She hugged me, her mom thanked me and I was late for work.
Because that mattered.
And until something in this world tells her differently, she'll carry herself like she's wearing that crown.

And hopefully, that crown will help her tell the world to stick it, if and when it ever tells her she's anything other than worthy.

Oh, God. How I love you.
How thankful I am for what you give me in a day.

Go be super heroes, friends.

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How very lovely! I wish I could recall which friend had posted this, but I do not.
All I can say for sure is that I reposted it on my wall today.

Nancy Jundi's post was dated December 11, 2015.
That would have been the day after Mama's 78th birthday.
When I saw the post earlier today, it served as a Valentine from the ether to me.

You see, Mama was Wonder Woman.
Even the folks she worked with recognized that.
How do I know?
Somewhere in this house I have photographs of her wearing her crown.

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I had some very nice responses to the post.

The indomitable JinHi said, "I knew you had a crown, Tina! You are Wonder Woman. <3"

I replied, "No, my dear. My mother was Wonder Woman and someone in the mill at Union Camp had even made her the bracelets and headgear. I just try to follow in her footsteps..."

My Aunt Linda, my mother's one-and-only sister added, "Oh, what a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing."

I told all, "I know I have a photo of Mama wearing her Wonder Woman wares.. I'l post it when I have a chance to look for it. I promise!"

And I will do that very thing.
Soon.
I promise.