Just scrolling through Facebook and came across something that irks me and makes me wonder why people want to change who my children are. Lauren, my oldest daughter, for instance. She is intelligent, beautiful, kind, caring and sassy. She also has a couple of tattoos...so what? She did as I asked when she decided she wanted tattoos.....they had to have meaning to them. They are both tasteful and represent her faith in God and her insatiable love of music. The one on her wrist is her favorite Bible verse, Luke 1:37--For nothing is impossible with God. I know she believes this or she would not be able to go on most days. For those of you who dont know, Lauren lives in a constant state of pain on a daily basis and has since her freshman year of college. Most of us would throw in the towel, but not my girl. Quite the contrary, she busts her hump working two jobs....sometimes both on the same day, up to 20 hours a day in some cases. She will also be starting her second year of law school in a week and a half. She does not quit and she does not back down. Her second tattoo is on her right shoulder. It is beautiful and incorporates both of her biggest loves.....it is a cross with a music staff around it. It is who she is and I, as her mother, would never ask her to change anything. I have taught her to always be who she is and if people dont like that, kick em to the curb. She is brutally honest and finds it hard to bite her tongue at times but she manages, just to keep the peace and to not hurt people that she loves. She is never intentionally rude nor does she ever intend to be towards anyone. She is comfortable with who she is and I love that about her. How many other young women can say that at 23? I sure couldnt. I cant say that I am entirely comfortable with who I am now for that matter. She is fortunate that she developed some strong friendships in high school that she has carried with her to this day....you all know who you are. She is even more fortunate that she added some more strong friendships in college.....you all also know who you are. As far as I know, none of these people would ever ask her to change who she is either. They know that the person she represents is exactly who she is. I love each and every one of these people. So, for those of you who want to change her, give it up. Embrace who she is and know that she would never try to change you to fit into some nice little niche in her world. She is funny, sarcastic, honest, intelligent, sassy, thoughtful, caring....need I go on? She is all of the best of her grandparents rolled up into one little midget. They, like me, would be extremely proud of the woman she has become. They would also be proud of my son who is gay, my daughter who wants to be a chef, my daughter who wants to be a photographer and my daughter who has learning disabilities. I might not be the best mother in the world, but I have raised some pretty amazing kids. They are each their own person and that makes me proud. None of them may fit into your cookie cutter mold....who cares? They are kind and considerate and care about other people. What more could this momma ask for?
Posted on: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 02:10:00 +0000