Dear Simone Biles,
While my daughter, Lily, would love to write to you herself, she’s just 5 years old and still mastering her letters. You are likely just starting to understand what it means to be one of the most recognized figures in the world, and I want to take a moment to share what you mean to a little girl like her.
Lily was born at just 23 weeks, a mere half of a full-term pregnancy. Weighing only a little over a pound, she spent an exhausting 196 days in the neonatal intensive care unit. The doctors had low expectations for her survival and her ability to walk. Even at her tiniest, she was incredibly strong, fighting to survive despite having her eyes fused shut.
During those challenging months, she taught me so much about resilience and determination. From the very beginning, she revealed her true spirit. At just 2 years old, she started gymnastics, drawn to movement much like you. With remarkable preemie upper body strength and the natural clumsiness of a toddler, she walks on her hands and leaps from every available surface. “Watch me,” she encourages, “you might be surprised at what I can do!”
Being petite is a significant issue at her age. “When will I be big?” she often asks me. The doctors tell us she may never reach 5 feet. I’ve seen her face disappointment when classmates call her a baby or say she’s too small to join in their games. Yet, she finds courage within herself, like the day she managed to climb to the top of the playground tree and shouted down to the older kids, “You can climb like this when you’re big like me!”
Although her confidence sometimes wavers and she has nights where she cries for the desire to be bigger, everything changed when we discovered you on YouTube a few months ago. Suddenly, she began to see herself in a new light. “Is Simone Biles small like me?” she asked, and I replied, “Yes, she’s just like you.”
“I know she’s better than me at gymnastics,” Lily said thoughtfully. “But that’s okay.” Now, every night, we watch your amazing routines and discuss the values of hard work, determination, and strength. When you performed your floor routine and earned that gold medal, she jumped off the couch and cheered with pure joy.
You’ve empowered her to resist the judgments of her peers. You’ve shown her that strength comes in many forms. As she watched you on screen, she exclaimed, “She’s looking at me! Does she see me?” I didn’t have the heart to tell her it was just television.
She even drew a picture of you, believing I could somehow pass it through the screen. Here it is, filled with love and gratitude.
With appreciation,
Lily’s Mom
If you’re interested in exploring more about home insemination and related topics, check out this informative article on intracervical insemination. Additionally, for those considering parenthood, Make A Mom offers an authoritative resource on insemination kits. For more insights into pregnancy and fertility, Medical News Today is an excellent resource.
In summary, Simone Biles has inspired not just Lily, but countless young girls to embrace their uniqueness, strength, and potential. Her influence has encouraged resilience and self-acceptance in the face of challenges.