You know, I have to admit that I never thought about my mother as an individual. With six children, she got lost, pulled in all directions daily for decades.

I realize now. I've felt overlooked, taken for granted, and slighted the majority of my life while going through the grandmother, mother, career, caregiver, and wife modes. Once my daughter told me in exasperation, "you just don't understand. I have dreams of my own; not what you all want me to do because all your children have to do it." I had to step back and think about the time when I placed my dreams and aspirations on hold so that she could be standing there telling me those words after college, which I didn't get to finish until later in life.

Thanks for the reminder of the hard lesson we often forget. Take care and take care.

!LADY