My little one and I have been watching “Mulan” lately.  I think it is the last Disney movie I got to see with both of my parents before my father passed.  I have always loved it, but now that I have a girl of my own I have a greater appreciation for it all — the story, the history, the humor, and the lessons behind it.  I love so many Disney classics, but this is one of those I can watch over and over which, to me, proves its mettle.  Starting with the emphasis on Mulan’s appearance in the beginning of the movie, I have noticed how many times people have been kind enough to remark upon my little one’s looks.  Yesterday it even happened remotely by a teller in a bank who was in another state and simply saw her on the screen.  I remember experiencing the same compliments as a kid, but as I got older my father would say, “Thank you; she just won her school Spelling Bee!”  Since my girl is too little for me to point out many academic achievements yet, after she thanks them I always chase that with “and she’s up for her first black belt in martial arts!”  The looks of surprise on male and female faces alike make me realize society has progressed but not nearly far enough.  If she were a boy they would not even bat an eyelash.  Plenty of people have truly not believed it until I have shown them the videos on my phone of her breaking boards with either her foot or her elbow.  At least I feel she is doing a small part in giving people pause from saying girls are just pretty and only boys are strong.  In our small entryway is a large, cobalt vase filled with orange (I cringe to admit this) artificial blossoms.  They look great all year round and the cats don’t eat them.  Anyway, I was going out the door when I glanced over and saw this pictured above hanging perfectly suspended from the flowers.  Silently congratulating my little one for recognizing the shoots were Asian, I wondered what on earth Mulan was doing there.  And then I decided to leave her as a reminder that being underestimated can be an asset.  My favorite quote from the film:

“The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all.”