The Stares and questions.

We all have those moments when we wonder what are they looking at me for? I have these moments often. Mainly by children. I can remember going in and out of stores and children always asking, "Mommy what happened to her?!" Or "Mommy why does she look so funny?!" For me it's never bothered me when children ask, I understand they probably have never seen anyone like me before and it is not common to see. Although it makes me question how funny do I really look?
Growing up I have always said that I believe it was a positive situation for kids around me at school to know and see that even though I have one arm I can still do everything they can. I think it helped them to question others they may have seen out in public, they knew oh hey Sarah is different and I believe it allowed them to understand the situation more.
Although what about the kids who have never been exposed to people with differences? I believe it can only help them in learning that we are all beautiful and different as God has created us.
I can remember as Miss Elkhart County 4-H Fair Queen 2014, I was always curious to how the children would react. As I walked around the fair some children never even noticed I had one arm, although there were always those children who did. Some were afraid to come close to me and refused to take a photo; which is perfectly okay. They just haven't been taught that some people look very different from others. Then there were the children that had differences as well and it meant the world to them that someone like them could be a princess. You never see princesses with differences. Why not?
I can remember meeting Moriah who was in a wheelchair and she told me that she couldn't be a princess because she had to wear boots. I was wearing my cowgirl boots that day and I can remember leaning down and telling her, Moriah I have boots on and I still am a princess and so are you. I made sure she knew how beautiful she truly was and that no matter what anyone tells her, she was born a princess, Gods princess. This is something I truly believe. Then there was Ava and she has one arm just like me! I loved meeting her and seeing her face light up! She is a gorgeous little girl and has a very special place in my heart. I want those children to know that no dream is too big or too small and I think we should educate other children by books and by the media that being different is awesome!
There is one story that is my favorite and I will never forget it. Someone's daughter came up to me one day and asked, "Sarah what happened to your arm?" I said well, God decided to make me with only one arm instead of two. This family has always has a special place in my heart and I love them dearly. The little girl then felt my little arm and held onto it and she just smiled. The next thing that she said was "I want one of those!" This melted my heart. I felt like crying tears of joy, never have I had a child be so comfortable with my arm and tell me they wanted to be like me, I could have hugged her forever. She is the sweetest and most loving child. I also give her parents so much respect and love because I know that they are the sweetest family and they have raised two beautiful and loving children. This is still my favorite story to this day and one I will forever love and cherish.
So if you have a difference and you struggle with the questions of children just know that it will only help to go and explain to them why you were created that way. Knowing that it's no different then some people having brown hair and some having blonde.

Love Sarah Stump
#ImperfectlyPerfect