Growing Pains

    By Shekeitra Lightbourne

    Growing Pains cover image

    13 Jul, 2024

    a painting of a girl sitting at a table with a plate of cookies and a cup of coffee in front of her, Bob Byerley, american realism, a storybook illustration, highly detailed digital painting

    Lily sat at the kitchen table, her brows furrowed in confusion. Growing up was proving to be a perplexing process.

    a girl in a pink apron holding a plate of cookies in a kitchen with a pink rug on the floor, Cliff Childs, american scene painting, a storybook illustration, kinkade

    Her mom, busy with baking, noticed her quietness. 'What's troubling you, sweetheart?' she asked, wiping her hands on her apron.

    Painting your imagination...

    'Mommy, my body is changing,' Lily confessed, her voice shaking slightly. Her mom nodded, waiting for her to continue.

    a painting of two girls in a kitchen talking to each other while standing next to a sink and a window, Bob Byerley, american realism, a storybook illustration, extremely detailed oil painting

    Lily expressed her concerns about growing taller, getting acne, and other changes she was noticing. Her mom listened patiently.

    a woman and a girl in a kitchen cooking together, one of them is holding the other's hand, Elizabeth Forbes, american realism, a comic book panel, ultra realistic illustration

    Her mom reassured her, explaining that these changes were normal and part of growing up. Lily seemed slightly comforted.

    a woman and a girl in a kitchen with a pot of flowers on the counter top and a window, F Scott Hess, american realism, a storybook illustration, comic cover art

    'But I don't want to grow up!' Lily exclaimed. Her mom smiled, understanding her fear of the unknown.

    a painting of two girls reading a book in a bedroom with a teddy bear and bookshelf in the background, Chris LaBrooy, photorealism, a storybook illustration, storybook illustration

    Later that night, Lily's mom came into her room with a book. 'This book helped me when I was your age,' she said.

    a woman and a child are reading a book together in a bedroom with posters on the wall behind them, Art & Language, american scene painting, a storybook illustration, storybook illustration

    They spent the next hour reading about the changes that happen during puberty, discussing and laughing at the illustrations.

    a woman and a little girl in a bedroom with a bed and a window with pictures on the wall, artist, american scene painting, a storybook illustration, comic cover art

    By the time they finished, Lily felt much better. She hugged her mom, thanking her for the book and the talk.

    a painting of two girls in a bedroom talking to each other and a teddy bear on the bed in the corner, Caroline Lucy Scott, american scene painting, a storybook illustration, highly detailed oil painting

    'Growing up is not so scary when I have you, mommy,' Lily said, her eyes shining with newfound courage.

    Painting your imagination...

    The next morning, Lily seemed more relaxed. She even joked about growing a foot taller overnight.

    a painting of two women in a kitchen talking to each other while holding a pot of food in their hands, Andrew Loomis, american scene painting, a storybook illustration, kinkade

    Her mom laughed, happy to see her daughter's fear of growing up replaced with excitement. Another day, another lesson learned.