Source: Missouri Botanical Garden
A grandmother and a little girl whose face was sprinkled with bright red freckles spent the day at the zoo.
The children were waiting in line to get their cheeks painted by a local artist who was decorating them with tiger paws. “You’ve got so many freckles, there’s no place to paint!” a boy in the line cried.
Embarrassed, the little girl dropped her head. Her grandmother knelt down next to her. “I love your freckles,” she said.
“Not me,” the girl replied.
“Well, when I was a little girl I always wanted freckles” she said, tracing her finger across the child’s cheek. “Freckles are beautiful!”
The girl looked up. “Really?”
“Of course,” said the grandmother. “Why, just name me one thing that’s prettier than freckles.”
The little girl peered into the old woman’s smiling face. “Wrinkles,” she answered softly.
This story reminds me of the saying, “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.” Its meaning can be taken literally as ‘the perception of beauty is subjective.’ In other words, it depends upon what one sees as beauty transpired from the heart. . .feelings of joy, peace, contentment or sadness, agitation, unhappiness.
The freckles of life are those little annoyances which if not perceived differently, lead to aggravation, frustration and unhappiness. The little girl in the story thought others saw her freckles as ugly which left her with a sense of unhappiness. This perception was challenged and changed through the eyes of her grandmother.
As a person ages, wrinkles are inevitable. They may be fine lines around the eyes or deeper almost rutted areas formed through years of hard work, worry and stress. The wrinkles of life add character but are too often perceived as making a once very attractive person ugly.
Whether freckles or wrinkles, true beauty is present when seen through the eyes of love. This is beholding to both humans and animals. Have you ever seen a cat or a dog with a blotch on one eye but not on the other, a straggly coat of fur that looks like it has never been brushed, a crooked jaw maybe stemming from an accident, one-eyed or eyes of a different color perhaps even crossed? How many times have you said, “Look at that UGLY cat?” or “Man, I would never own a dog that UGLY?” Are they ugly when someone cures them of hunger, heals their wounds, or cuddles them at bedtime?
The ugliest person, place or thing can be the most beautiful in the world when seen through the eyes of love. Next time you see someone or an animal to which your first reaction might be “UG-LY!” stop and think about the fact that that person is loved by someone somewhere in time. To them, they are beautiful!
May you have a blessed day enjoying the beauty of the world through the eyes of love!
catnipoflife 
What a beautiful post and beautiful animals 🙂
Thank you for visiting and hope you’ll return soon for some more catnip 🙂
From a grandmother who has both freckles and wrinkles, I thank you with all my heart.
I dedicate this post to you, my friend ❤
very nice article on the perception that we have of others. Have a good afternoon Sharla 🙂
Hope you had a great day, Gys! 🙂
yes very well Sharla 🙂
Great post, thank you!
Thank you for stopping by, Jen. Glad you enjoyed the read 🙂
Beauty Changes
Yes, it does, Bruce, just like the chameleon forever changing to adapt to each situation.
What a lovely post! I’ve found that as I get to know a person, they look more attractive to me. I’m always surprised when I look back at photos and find that the person really wasn’t a “beauty” (as defined by Hollywood??) In my mind those old friends are gorgeous.
Only one word is necessary in reply, Sandra…AMEN!
Lovely post Sharla… isn’t it sad that people feel free to judge and use a derogative word to describe a person or an animal ?
Very sad! Each has beauty of his or her own to share in this often very cruel world. Thank you for stopping by, Valerie. It is always good to “see” you 🙂
Freckles and wrinkles… That’s such a touching story. You brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for writing and sharing it.
Thanks are to you for stopping by and especially for leaving comments. So glad you enjoyed the writing 🙂
Excellent, as usual! Too easy sometimes to say “Ugly” and not look with love. Thanks for sharing.
Marion, so good to have you stop by for some catnip! Glad you enjoyed the post and thank you for your comments!
Oh Sharla, once again a master piece…true beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder…and yes it takes a compassionate heart to see and recognize that…Loved your piece…If you in mood of any Love poems, then do drop by…http://seetarn.wordpress.com/2013/05/18/walk-into-my-life/ Would love to hear your comments…since you are an ace poetry queen….Love ya…take care…
Thank you, Seeta, for leaving the link to your post. So beautiful and I left comments for you!
Thanks dear..your words mean a lot to me..glad u cud stop by…have a great writing day ahead…:)
How wonderful and beautiful!! The post, the pictures, the story!! I love your way of writing, Sharla. With your emotions, with all your HEART… I love it!!
I am humbled by your words! ¸¸.•♥•.¸.
Thisis a wonderful post–beautyis in the eeye of the beholder for sure.
Love, Micki
Excellent Sharla, beautiful and poignantly rich with the true meaning of the value of life and our roles for those we love and how we perceive others. I love this post my friend! How is your husband and how are you doing my friend? I hope you are managing some R and R during the activities of your day, with much affection, Penny xx
No R&R. Arrived at the hospital this morning in shock. Jim is not having a good day at all. Waiting to see the doctor. Trying to get him in a rehab facility closer to home. 80-mile round trip is killing me, especially on the days when there is more than one.
All my love and emotional support I send to you this day Sharla. Be strong, and be safe! Sending loving prayers for Jim and you, wish I were closer so could truly be of help to you! Do take care of yourself and know that you will be in my loving thoughts every moment over the next few days, you are loved and not alone, I wish I could be there right now to give you the biggest hug, dearest friend, but consider it done! Penny xoxoxo
Just beautiful! Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder – Can’t agree more with that!
So good to ‘see’ you, Aditya! Welcome back 🙂
What a wonderful post, Sharla, thank you. See the world through eyes of love, it is always beautiful! Very true!
No other way for a peaceful world 🙂
wonderful 🙂
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