Annie is is my five year old granddaughter. She has already captured hearts with her curly brown hair, huge blue eyes and dimples. She is very verbal and has an opinion on just about everything. She told her mother that now that she is five she knows everything. When her mother asked her a few questions, she did concede that between her and her mother they knew everything. Her professor/author dad was not mentioned although I think she would concede that he might offer something to her body of knowledge. She is confident, exhuberant and "the world is her oyster'\". During a visit last week she asked me if I would like to see her room. She was quick to point out her dolls which truth be told were mostly stuffed animals. However, the biggest reason for asking me to come to her room was to show me her sword fighting skills. She tucked the sword down the front of her skirt and then drew her quickly over her head and began flailing at "the enemy". Her moves were quick decisive and could inspire new moves for Johnny Depp if he does anothe pirate movie. She moved around the roon waving the sword ,at times raising it straight above her head and then bringing it down decisevely over some unnamed person's head. "Who", I asked "is the enemy". "Bad people" she told me. It was clear that anyone who crossed Annie's path would have to deal with her super power strength. I was impressed. Child of my heart please do not lose your ability or wish to destroy that which is evil. Be decisive in your path personal, academic and someday professional. Be compassionate, caring and loving but learn to carry your sword with you into life and don't be afraid to use it. (metophorically) I am not encouraging a Lizzie Borden here. During my childhood I loved dolls. I still do with a collection of over 50 "girls". But somewhere along the way I lost my self-esteen for many decades, I did not want to appear as a fierce swordswoman. I wanted to be liked, to be loved. I was so willing to please that i forgot my own needs and opinions. I was willing to be bent like a pretzel if some boy or later man would love me. I didn't speak up in class for fear of being too "brainy" and therefore different, someone not part of the popular crowd. I wanted to be Cinderella and I wanted Prince Charming to fight my battles for me. I did wise up out of necessity as much as anything. As a single mother of three boys I learned to fight. I stood up for myself in so many situations that some people dubbed me super bitch. I took on lovers, bosses, and the establishment.My voice was no longer silent. When necessary I drew the sword high above my head. I am not a hater of men as the mother of 3 sons 2 grandsons and just married to a man I love completely. But if the foe be male, female, stereotype, or person in authority with outdated ideas of what women are capable of..I raise my sword to the heavens. It was not the ideal held up to me as a child of what a woman should be. I have learned on my own. I have learned sometimes the sword is not necessary if open communication can be substituted. But when all else fails, my trusty sword is with me. Annie, never lose your sword. Keep it safe. At times keep it hidden. Just never forget that the power to wield it when necessary is yours. I want you to keep that same joyous personality as you grow up. But I want you to acknowledge and respect your strength. YOu are your own prince charming sweetheart!