Mommie Dearest

Little girls strongly identify with their mothers. She is the woman
they model themselves after, trying on her dresses, shoes and jewelry
when they play dress up and parroting her when they play house with
their dolls. As they get older and imagine their lives as a grown up
woman, it is her life they picture themselves in. Then they look
around one day and realize they are a grown up woman, but the life
they are living is not hers.

When I celebrated my 21st birthday with family and friends, rather
than a husband, I had already started down my own path. Starting my
career, providing for myself, and living by myself are all things my
mother has never done. But, despite those differences, I still turn
to her for advice, encouragement and praise. As I fill my calendar
with volunteer opportunities for the Girl Scouts and my sorority, I
think back to watching my mom lead two Girl Scout troops and attend
sorority meetings with her best friend and I wonder if I am still
trying to find a way to lead my mom's life.