It's My Reflection Period

So many things are happening right now and every thing makes me think.

My daughter turns 14 this coming week.

It is great and yet kinda scary.

It truly does not seem like she should be so old.

I can still see her riding around on her dad's back like he was a horse.

And now she is in her final year of middle school and wearing braces.

Mom used to say the older you get, the faster time goes by.
So true.

Before I know, it she will be out on her own.

This year there is so much more going on.

I have a friend that is getting married tomorrow.
Good for her.

She has waited so long to find the man she wanted to marry.

So that is another great thing going on.

But, I also found out today another person I know has breast cancer.

Things like that puts a lot of things into perspective.

She beat it once and now it's back.

Now, thinking about how I am going to juggle all the bills this month seems a lot less insignificant.

I know the bombing of the twin towers is in a lot of people's minds.
And it is a very bad thing that happened.
There is no doubt about that.

But, all my thoughts are a little closer to home.

And in the end that is what you need to bring back from everything you experience in life.

What really matters to you.

For me it is everyone that I care about.
As it should be for us all.

Celebrate life! That is what it's all about.

You Can Never Go Home

So, the kiddo and I are going out to my parents for a few days.

This ought to be interesting.

Now, don't get me wrong.
I love my parents.
In a have to because they are my parents way.

I do want to visit because they are getting up there in age and my dad has emphysema.

And, I do get along pretty well with my dad.
I do with my mom.
In a censoring myself sort of way.

Half the time, my mom doesn't even pay attention .
And the other time she criticizes.
She hears what she wants to hear and leaves the rest.

She reminds me of Marie Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond.
Except she doesn't cook all the time and wait on my dad all the time.
That and she doesn't wear lipstick.

Not sure that my husband sees it, but I do.

My mother doesn't know how to give a compliment without making it seem like it's not one.

Often when I talk to her on the phone, I hang up feeling vaguely disappointed.

I hate that I can't really be me around my mother.
I know she loves me since I am her daughter.

But, I am not sure she really loves ME.
She doesn't even really know ME.

I have become who I am after I moved away from home.

I swear.
I laugh at people- not in a mean spirited way or anything, but let's face it-People are STUPID.
I do not go to church or practice any religion.
I let my daughter voice an opinion
and I let her stay up pretty late during the summer.

All of which would get a big thumbs down from my mother.

But, my daughter deserves time with her grandparents.
So, even if I have to bite my tongue a lot.
It will have been for the greater good.