FAMILY: Our Daughters Are NOT Ourselves.

My mother was always disappointed in me. I am not as much like her as she thinks I ought to be. This is not my perception, but something she actually said. (Although if brought up in a situation where it might be unflattering, she would deny it.)

Mom is a good girl. She follows rules, respects authority and never does things people might talk about. As for me, not so much. A rule that complicates without improving, should be ignored whenever possible. Many (not all) authority figures are more about their egos than doing a good job … particularly those who got promoted by flattery. They had to do it and now they expect to be on the receiving end. I’m too loud, too opinionated and too independent. I keep trying to remember to talk softer, because it might be annoying for others. (Just because I think what I have to say is fascinating, doesn’t mean total strangers will.) The other 2 issues really don’t bother me. It’s a free country. People are welcome to disagree with me. It doesn’t make them bad … just un-enlightened.

These are old observations. What I noticed over the weekend is how different my daughter is from me. Oh sure, her personality is different. But I’m not my mom. I expected that. It’s even good. Who wants a clone of themselves?

What I noticed is how physically different she is. We look good in many of the same colors, but she can wear darker shades without looking washed out. While we both have curly hair, I like the way hers curls better. Those are things I knew, but she’s just built differently.

I recommended some styles that look good on me. When she tried them, it wasn’t that flattering. She needs a skirt to be 4 inches shorter than mine to hit the same place on her legs. She has short thighs. 

One of the few things I’ve always had going for me is long legs. Even when they were chubby, they were still long. I wish she’d gotten that. On the other hand, she has a better rear end than I do. Big gut. Flat Butt. That’s me. She has a nice round little tush. You have to work with what you’ve got.