Last night I saw the movie "Whip it" & loved it. Although it did bring back some memories that frighten me! In the movie, the main character, Bliss (played by my fav Ellen Page), is a free-spirited teenager who likes to live off the beaten path. Her mom doesn't understand her very well & keeps guilt tripping her into entering beauty pageants. Bliss ends up doing roller derby underground as "Babe Ruthless"! It's way more extreme, of course, but it reminded me of the crap I put my poor Mother through when I was a teenager! In general I was a good kid, but I did go through, what my parents call my "save the whale phase". While my Mom was home wallpapering my room in pink flowers & circling houndstooth pumps with a matching blazer in catalogs for me, I was handing out literature for GreenPeace, writing letters for Amnesty International, shopping for combat boots at the second hand store & planning the next concert outing. She didn't embrace my phase at all! I guess most people rebel at some point in their life, and it really did turn out to be a learning & growing experience for me. I pray everynight that I will understand my kids individual needs, help them strengthen their talents & embrace their unique personalities. It's not that easy for me, being the control freak that I am! I also secretly pray that they won't feel the need to rebel & fall away from the gospel, because it breaks my heart to think of it. Sometimes I don't feel qualified for this mom job! I just love my kids so much & it makes me appreciate the love my parents & Heavenly Father have for me too. Who knew a cute movie would bring up all these thoughts!