Do as I say, not as I do

A year or so ago, I was feeling very future focused. I thought for sure that I knew everything so I wrote down rules for my future daughter(s). (Creepy? Potentially). I came across the list a few weeks ago whilst cleaning out my old purse.

I thought I'd put them on the internet airwaves so one day, she'll have them. Or so everyone can think I'm a psycho. Either way.

1. Don't worry about squeezing the toothpaste from the bottom up. It's just not worth the effort.

2. You are prettier without makeup.

3. Don't do Kamkazi shots, ever.

4. Make him wait. A little.

5. Don't apologize for things that have nothing to do with you.

6. Don't qualify what you say with "I think or maybe I don't understand, but..." Just say it.

7. Have dessert. Then, work it off.

8. Learn to make one dish really, really well. Then, only make it if you love him. Only you'll know what it means.

9. Send cards not emails. Or texts. Or whatever you have by then.

10. If everyone else is drinking beer, don't order a margarita.

11. Get your pets from the pound. They are better animals.

12. Always carry some trail mix, Advil, and a tampon. Always.

13. Don't put the email address in the To: box until you are ready to send.

14. If you think he's lying; he probably is.

15. Don't play all your cards.

16. Don't slam your seat back on the airplane. It's so rude.

17. Always choose dare.

18. When someone asks what you do, don't say your job title. Make it interesting.

19. Keep a flashlight in your bedside table.

20. Wear whatever you want. Don't worry about it.

21. Don't be afraid to cut your hair. It's fine.

22. Get really good at Scrabble.

23. Don't cry at work. Ever.

24. Calculate the cost of clothing by cost per wear. If you wear it a lot, it's ok to spend more.

25. Have nice perfume.

26. Throw our underwear that aren't pretty. Only buy one's that are.

27. Check the weather.

28. It doesn't matter what you major in in college. It's all about ambition, baby.

29. Only buy art you love.

30. Buy the expensive olive oil. It's worth it.

31. If he doesn't get your jokes; leave.

32. Remember what it felt like to get asked to your first dance.

33. Forget what your first dance was like.

34. You are more than your job.

35. Don't put your mother in a gross nursing home that smells like urine.

36. Learn to hover and pee.

37. Get your oil changed regularly.

38. Learn to say no. And mean it.

Rainbow Hunters

Not too long ago, I would make my little sister sit in the game room and be the student while I played teacher. I'd put saran wrap on the window and pretend it was an overhead machine. I'd give her quizzes and generally torture her. Not too long before that, we'd run around the house playing rainbow hunters with a little plastic prism. We'd find places the sun leaked in and use our magic prism to make rainbows.

Since then, we've watched each other fall in love and get our our hearts broken. We've both been through serious health crisis (I mean, lungs collapsing and everything). We've buried our Dad. We've been rocks and bowls of jello, but never at the same time.

Last week I watched her graduate from college and on Monday we'll travel together to Utah for a grown up girls vacation. We are both adults with educations and plans and dreams for our own lives. One day, sooner than later, we'll have our own new families.

This is the way of things. You grow up and do things on your own. All those days you thought were boring, like the day you went to the nursery with your dad and sister and got a Christmas tree. Or the day you learned to water ski with your family cheering you on. Or the time she threw up green beans. Or that day you all sat around and watched football and drank Cokes, are the best days.

And I suspect that one day, when I have two kids and a job and a husband and a house to run, these will be the best days. The days when I had time to sit on my couch and drink tea and write a blog.

Every day is the best day. You just don't know it until they are gone.