I’m headed towards my 28th year in life and honestly I’m tickled to death. You may recall my “Thank You to 2011”, and how basically last year was amazing. Amazing and jam packed! Throughout the year I mainly just plowed forward and didn’t have too much time to take it all in and internalize what about me was changing. Well since coming back to the States I’ve started to pump the brakes ever so slightly, and I recently stopped to realize that I’m becoming a Woman.
We all define Woman differently, and I believe that’s what makes being a Woman awesome. It is up to each of us to decide how to be the best us that we can be! For me, it was recognizing that all the things my Mother and Gran told me makes sense.
When I was younger I used to stand in the bathroom door and watch my Gran brush her teeth, apply her beauty mask, wash her face, and then style herself for the day. I watched with such fascination probably until I was about 15. She used to think I was so weird, but then one day she just turned to me and showed me how to define my eyebrows and apply some light makeup. I felt as though I had arrived. My Gran would talk to me about how to sit properly, how to cross my legs at the ankle, how to address people, how to be poised. Ever since I was tiny every Christmas dinner I’ve ever had was set formally according to proper etiquette protocol. That’s just how my Gran is. She’s regal, and she’s a lady. She would give me advise on boys and one time told me that oral sex was “68 and I owe you one” LOL. She also has a great sense of humor. She taught me how to cook, how to clean a house from top to bottom, and how to do hospital folds on a flat sheet when making the bed. She taught me how to pull weeds and landscape; she taught me how to be stern while still being gracious. All lessons I couldn’t appreciate until now.
My mother started taking me with her to get my nails done while I was in high school. We would go for our manis/pedis and then go get our hair done just about every two weeks. She is the reason I’m saddity. LOL My Mom is the type that people love to be around and she loves being around people. I’ve watched her charm and use her southern flirtyness to woo just about anyone. She’s loving, compassionate, and giving. I’ve literally watched someone compliment my Mother on a piece of jewelry she was wearing, then my Mother in turn gave it to them. Growing up I never needed for anything, and hardly wanted for much. I can safely admit now that she spoiled me. :) She continues to do so! My Mother and I had typical rough years when I was a teenager, but she’s always been my best friend. In many ways I aim to be the kind of friend to others as she is to all.
My GodMother is another one. She literally looks like a mix of Jada Pinkett-Smith and Stacey Dash. She’s the type that wakes up every morning and gets ready no matter what her day calls for. She’s not big on makeup, but she’s big on being presentable. She’s super successful with a wonderful husband and genius little child, my GodBrother. Even though I love my lounge-wear, I try to make sure even that is presentable. She inspires me to be that corporate woman that works the balance of the boardroom and the family room effortlessly. Whenever I drive through her posh neighborhood in beautiful suburban Orlando, I see glimpses of my future. (Only much colder, and in Ohio lol)
Then there is my Sister who gave me the most beautiful niece and Aunt could ever ask for. She also gave me a big brother that looks out for me. I’m so proud of her. To have someone so wonderful to look up to is a comforting feeling. She and I recently discussed being Women and negotiating salaries, and how to assert ourselves for power. That’s so cool!
Every morning I wake up, make my way to the bathroom and apply my all natural morning face mask, brush my teeth, wash my face, moisturized next, spray my hair and fluff my curls. I touch up my eyebrows, add a little eyeliner, and a slight touch of bronzer to my cheeks. Make my bed, get dressed, look and feel amazing. I take all my vitamins and gather my breakfast and lunch for the day. Every night I come home, prepare a healthy all natural organic dinner, and I prepare my clothes for the following day. I shower, cleanse my face, exfoliate my skin, and moisturize for the evening. I go to sleep looking, smelling, and feeling amazing. My dreams at night are filled with peace and happiness. I wake up every morning with my steps ordered and an air of confidence at realizing I now know who I am. I’m not becoming a creature of habit, but more building a foundation for starting and ending every day right.
I’m progressive in many ways, old fashioned in many as well. I’m a sex-positive, bold color-wearing, natural-haired, world-traveling, liberal diva who works in Corporate America, is getting the MBA I’ve wanted since I was 9, loves to cook, clean, and do yardwork, wears slips and stockings, and talks like an old Southern woman (yes ma’am… no sir!). I sometimes speak with a drawl, I talk with my hands, I roll my neck, I love weave, I get emotional, I hate chain restaurants, and I’m sometimes too much for people, I’m such a LEO. But I know this, I embrace it.
I can’t tell you how many times I realize that I am my Mother and my Grandmother’s child.
I love that.
I’m just getting started. :)
But I’ll always be a big kid. :)
