November 11, 2012
As I was doing laundry today I came across a pair of jeans. I was not immediately sure if the jeans belonged to me or to my 10 year old daughter. They are hers, a little big still. The situation made me think of conversations I have had with my daughter over the years. Most recently, she is willing to let me wear her favorite pink fleece sweatshirt from time to time and is looking forward to being able to share clothes with me. For many mother/daughter pairs this may not be a big deal...to be able to share clothes. Three years ago, it would have broken my heart to hear her say she wanted to share clothes with me. At that time I was pushing 300 pounds and my 7 year old daughter was asking me to go on Biggest Loser. Now, 100 pounds lighter and 7 pant sizes smaller, she is proud of me.
A mother doesn't set out to win her daughter's approval. That isn't what I want to hold onto. The pride that she expresses when she talks about my accomplishment reaffirms that she has watched me set a goal, work toward it, and reach it. That's what I want to hold onto. My daughter has watched me transform from an unhappy, overweight, unhealthy woman into a healthy, happy woman who is proud of who she is. If I leave my daughter with nothing more, I will have done my job by teaching her that she can do anything she sets her mind to.
