My 16yo dreams of being a famous photographer and it shows.

I'm a pretty tolerant mom.  I don't have very many rules when it comes to my kids picking and choosing their friends.  In fact, if anything, my husband and I try to encourage our children to be as open-minded and non-judgmental as they would want others to be.

Until, one of them has a falling out and, well, easier said than done, right?

On the one hand, it's difficult to remain objective while watching your child's heart break, as she drenches your shoulder with snot, believing that the world is indeed coming to an end and not want to rip their so-called bestie a new one.

Then again, speaking as an adult (mostly) it's a little easier to understand that we each carry our own pain which, more often than not, influences the decisions we make in life, good and/or bad.

Until, someone I care about inadvertently breaks my heart and, well, have you seen The Grudge?

A black, inky sort of BLECH! creeps over my insides and NO amount of bleach or disinfectant can keep me from being swallowed up by its toxicity.

I could always blame it on the winter blues.  Or, being a woman (enough said)  and claim jealousy on their part.  Then again, I cannot honestly admit that I have never been envious of others, for reasons that would probably sound very silly or childish, to say out loud, anyway.

"So, have you spoken to So-and-So since, well, you know?"

Then, one of my kids turns around and says something profoundly adult-ish, like this:

"No, I've come to the decision that no matter what I do it will NEVER be good enough."

Aaaaaand, I WANT TO BE JUST LIKE HER when I grow up.

Morale of the Story:   Never miss an opportunity to make others happy, even if you have to leave them alone to do it.

Then again, happiness is highly subjective (I think) and thank goodness for small favors, right?

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