Little Theodosia

Hello there.
You have your mother’s eyes.

Welcome to the world, my little Theo.
It’s a big, strange place, you know.
But you won’t be frightened, you won’t be shy.
Because I’m going to teach you how to fly.
Not with wings, but with words and with wit.
I won’t let you sit where the ladies sit.
Embroidery? Needlepoint? Idle chit-chat?
No, my daughter, you’re better than that.

You will convince the world.
You will speak Greek and Latin.
You won't be wrapped in silence and satin.
You will be strong. You will be true.
The genius of your mother lives inside of you.
Little Theodosia.
My work of art.
My heart.

I’ll write you letters every single day.
Correcting your grammar, showing the way.
"Don't say 'can't', Theo, say 'I will'."
We have a destiny to fulfill.
If I am the dark, then you are the light.
If I am the wrong, then you are the right.
I’m building a legacy, stone by stone.
So you never have to stand alone.

Men will try to dismiss you.
They’ll try to kiss you and miss you.
They’ll look at your face and ignore your brain.
But you will drive them insane.
Because you are a Burr.
And Burrs don't break.

You will convince the world.
You will speak Greek and Latin.
You won't be wrapped in silence and satin.
You will be strong. You will be true.
The genius of your mother lives inside of you.
Little Theodosia.

Sleep now.
Tomorrow, we study.