This is Alexys. She is 13 years old, but looks much older on most days. I remember this time well. It is fantastically confusing coming into awareness as a young lady and realizing your power, or lack thereof, depending on your station. Thirteen was a reckless, angry time for me. To say I was cranky is a polite understatement. It's like saying the splinter under your nail is kind of annoying. My mother's recollection of this time is unfortunate, but not compared to my own memory. In my mind I am a sullen, emotional mess... on a good day. On a bad day I was downright rotten and made sure those around me knew it. This young lady is as sweet as pie. I'm sure she has her days but I've known her for a while and I can attest to her kind heart. I believe I was kind as well back then, in my youth. I had a great deal of empathy, I just had no idea what to do with my feelings. I just FELT SO MUCH all the time, and it was all so new. I felt my little girl-ness slipping away, and no matter how many times I returned to Anne of Green Gables or the Secret Garden (my talismans of childhood) I couldn't stop the teen years from coming. A tsunami of hormonal energy on my fragile ego. I was not ready to be whistled at or flirted with. I wanted to play but was strangely compelled to test the waters of adulthood.
I took Alexys's portrait because she still has such fresh newness in her. She is still sweet and just arriving... I love these photos of her, and I hope her adult self loves them as well someday.
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