| The little white card taped to the wall by the painting | | | | described the picture and its message. "Mom," she |
| proclaimed its title, Curse of the Good Girl. | | | | says. "If I didn't have to work, I wouldn't. The things |
| But as I stared all I had were flashbacks... dozens of | | | | I love to do are outside of work... my girls, |
| thoughts swirling through my head. | | | | volunteering in their school, our family." |
| I'd already circled the gallery a couple of times just | | | | So different. |
| sipping wine, chatting with folks and glancing at all the | | | | When I was her age, it was ALL about work. I really |
| art. | | | | wanted to succeed in the corporate world... to be |
| Then I put my glasses on and walked more slowly, | | | | recognized and rewarded for the job I did. Getting to |
| finally standing in front of this whimsical piece. | | | | daycare on time, soccer Mom duties and making |
| At first it conjured up childhood memories, then | | | | homemade school treats were always my hot spots |
| hurled me back into high school insecurities, two | | | | of failure. |
| marriages, kids, careers, and oh my God, now the | | | | But as I write this, I think maybe we of the |
| Grandma Club. | | | | "fabulous 50s++ club" helped lift the CURSE. |
| Picture this... the focal point of the painting is two | | | | Our generation paved the way for our daughters. |
| characters, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and the | | | | While it may not be perfect, the work environment |
| Wicked Witch of the West (turned good?). How | | | | today is much more flexible and accommodating for |
| many times have I watched that movie as child, | | | | women and families. Choices can be made! |
| parent and grandma? | | | | My daughter's a much-in-demand physical therapist... |
| Surrounding Dorothy, in an ethereal warm glow, are | | | | who works on her own terms just 3 days a week. |
| the words of Dorothy's Chant... | | | | With the holidays just around the corner, I'm |
| There's No Place Like Home, | | | | reminded of a BLOG I read last year by Melinda |
| There's No Place Like Work, | | | | Shoaf, appropriately named The Designated |
| There's No Place Like Home, | | | | Celebrator. In it she states, "...I believe in the |
| There's No Place Like | | | | importance of celebrations. As my family's Designated |
| Work... Home... Work... Home... | | | | Celebrator I may be tired and I may not have done |
| You could almost hear the Wicked Witch with her | | | | all that I set out to do but I believe that this year I |
| icky green skin and crystal ball muttering; "I tried to | | | | celebrated the ones I love, and I hope with all my |
| save her but... alas, alas" in her most disgusted voice. | | | | heart that I celebrated them well." |
| I could have been totally alone in the gallery as I | | | | And so, in the spirit of the Curse of the Good Girl, I |
| found myself looking down at my shoes, almost | | | | want to leave you with a parting thought. |
| expecting them to be red sequined. Did I really stand | | | | Don't add the "P" word to the Curse. There's not |
| there and click my heals together? Was I | | | | enough power in the Witch's crystal ball to rid us of |
| unconsciously trying to rid myself of the Curse? You | | | | the need for everything to be just "PERFECT". |
| know... the one that's genetically inbred into all us | | | | So, look at your holiday list of "to-dos" this year. Pick |
| women. | | | | out the true "family traditions" to carry on, add in a |
| It's also known by another five-letter word and it | | | | good dose of family time with no agenda, and above |
| starts with "G" for GUILT, Guilt, Guilt... | | | | all, put yourself on that list! Wife, mother, sister, |
| I bought the painting and it's been sitting here in my | | | | grandmother, caregiver, friend... you wear a lot of |
| office for 3 months. I find myself staring at it | | | | hats. |
| whenever I'm pulled in 5 different directions at once. | | | | Take care and love yourself, too. |
| Talking to my now almost 40-year old daughter, I | | | | |