A Book Review for My Mom: The Path Made Clear By Oprah Winfrey

Rarely do I write a post about a book I haven't finished... but here I am, writing about Oprah's latest. I'm not even halfway through it yet, and I can tell already it's one I will want to leave on my nightstand to revisit again. If you get it, definitely buy the hardback version-- it's a beautiful book filled with images and stories and quotes by Oprah and many others. This book I will treasure, I know.

I love books. I love words. I read a lot. But it is rare for me to read something on a page that I've thought of so many times, spoken by another.

Page 39 stopped me in my tracks.

Vice President Joe Biden's conversation with Oprah:

Oprah: I read that ever since you were a little boy, you had a picture in your head of the kind of man that you wanted to be. Did you live up to your own expectations? Did you fulfill the vision or exceed the vision?

Vice President Joe Biden: By and large I believe that I have ended up being the man I wanted to be, but it wasn't in terms of accomplishment. Because people usually translate that into, As a young guy, I kew I wanted to be a senator. Or, I knew I wanted to be president. But that wasn't true. What was true was I wanted to live up to my parent's expectations. And I wanted to be that person that met my mother's standards. Being defined by my courage. I wanted to be that person who, no matter what happened, just got back up and kept going. I wanted to be that person who was loyal to people who were loyal to him. 

This: 

"What was true was I wanted to live up to my parent's expectations. And I wanted to be that person that met my mother's standards. "

Tears.

I was an adventure as a child.
I was not an easy daughter.
Typical Taurus. So stubborn.
I look cute enough here in my pink Dittos! Right?

That stubborn 70's girl has grown into a strong and sometimes still unsure of herself woman. And there are many times when I am faced with a tough decision, or don't know what my next step should be, I ask myself,

"Would my mom be proud of me?" 

And the answer will point me in the right direction.
Thank you, mom, for believing in me always.
I treasure your guidance and am so grateful that you support me no matter what.

Happy birthday, Mom! I love you.