Strengths
1. honesty - I have never lied to you. It is my intention never to do so. I won't. How ever could you trust me if I did even once? You'll likely lie to me, honey. That's generally a part of growing up, but you'll learn, you'll grow, and you'll figure it out with time and experience. I will still never lie to you and I hope, with that time and experience, you learn that you needn't lie to me, either, that I'll always, always love you no matter what.
2. loyalty - I could've put this in either category, truthfully. Sometimes, I'm loyal to a fault, when those to whom I am loyal have tried their dangedest to show me they don't deserve it. Sometimes, my loyalty blinds me. Mostly, though, I am a "stand by your ____" kind of person. It's what I wish from those around me, so it's what I give.
3. integrity - Your dad always tells me that one of the things he admires most in me is that when presented with the choice between what is easy and what is right, I do what's right every time. I like that about me. It's how I can look at myself in the mirror every day. It's how I can hold my head up high.
4. organization - You can thank both your Mammy and Grandpa-at-the-Lake for passing this quality down to me. I didn't have a shot at not being organized. In fact, I have a Pinterest board specifically titled "Organization Gives Me Lady-Wood." Too much information from your old mom? Sorry!
5. accepting responsibility for my own actions - This has been a conscious decision. When I screw up, I like to just say, "Hey, I did it" without justification or qualification. I dislike excuses, so I try to stay away from making them. I just own my mistake, rectify it if I can, make amends, and move on.
D1. intelligence - "You have a large vocabulary, you know a lot about many different subjects: English, science, politics, parenting, and you are always trying to learn more and educate yourself."
D2. creativity - "You are always coming up with new projects to do around the house, things to do with [our son], new hobbies (like sewing), and you are always coming up with new blog topics. Plus, you work [in] social media, and you have to find creative ways to draw people in."
D3. independence - "You don't need anyone else to do things for you the way I do. You have a "can-do" attitude about everything and it's pretty amazing."
D4. mothering - "You are a wonderful compilation of nurturer, educator, and caregiver. Most importantly, [our son] knows you love him and care about him. He is your number one priority."
D5. honesty - "You are always honest. People can depend on what you say and rely on your word at all times."
Weaknesses
1. temper - Let me say first: this has nothing to do with being a redhead. I hate that stupid stereotype. Not that you spout it, but for anyone else reading, I say to them - stop saying this. (And stop saying a slew of other redhead-related things that just get under my skin, too. Hmmm...I feel another blog post coming on...) But I digress. Yes, I have a temper. There have been times in my life when it's been completely out of control, times when I seemed quite in control of it, and now I feel like I'm somewhere in the middle of the two extremes. I'm aware of it. I'm working on it. I'm sorry.
2. portion control - If something is good, I want to eat it...ALL. I cannot, for the life of me, figure out how people go, "Hmmm...that one Oreo was delightful, but I'm stuffed now." Pah! If one is delightful, the whole flipping pallet is orgasmic! My only solution to this is to not bring such foods into the house. This explains why we never have anything you want to eat. And now you know.
3. impatience - See, this is a craps shoot with me. I have a limit. I can be patient, patient, patient, patient, patient, and then BAM! impatient. A lot of this depends on how much sleep I've had, how hungry (read: hangry) I am, and how much patience I've used up already that day. It's like I have a finite amount of patience. If I use up 90% by 10 a.m., the rest of the day better be smooth sailing, or there's a pretty fair chance I'm going to lose it. There are many days when I still have a small reserve at the end of the day, so things seem all well and fine to all of us. I like those days. I'm working toward having more of them.
4. critical - I need to just repeat to myself all day long, "It doesn't have to be done my way. It doesn't have to be done my way. It doesn't have to be done my way." As long as it gets done, it's OK. This is a lesson I've yet to learn. Your dad gets the brunt of my critical nature, which, fortunately for you, leaves you free and clear to do things you own way. Your dad, however, eesh! Some days, he can't catch a break from me.
5. budgeting - Unfortunately, you may be hosed in this department. I'm only slightly better at it than your dad...and only some of the time. Just when I think I have it figured out, in comes some unexpected bill and I have to start all over again. It's tiring. I hate money. I'd really like to just work on the barter system. Can you look into that for me?
D1. temper - "I think you are improving on this. When you do get mad, boy, is it evident. And you can stay mad for far longer than anyone I have ever met. You do not want to discuss anything in detail unless it concerns what is bothering you. And until it is discussed to your satisfaction, you will remain angry. Seriously, I'm almost in awe of long you can stay mad for. I've never seen it done by anyone else."
D2. single-mindedness - "When you want to accomplish something, i.e. go to the craft store, grocery store, mow the lawn, all else gets pushed aside. There is a definite push to get stuff done. I know a big part of this is due to your being trapped in the house all day."
D3. critical - "I know you've mellowed quite a bit on housekeeping but when I screw up, and I do make my fair share of errors, I almost always hear about it. The times when you hold it in, I think, 'Whew. Dodged that bullet.'"
D4. stubbornness - "You do not like to admit that you are wrong. When I make a good point in an argument, you don't even acknowledge it, instead you just inhale sharply and move on."
D5. impatience - "Things like not having my wallet immediately out as soon as we get in line at the grocery store, not immediately buckling my seat belt in the car, not moving the instant you want me to when we arrive somewhere, make me wonder what all the fuss is about."
I wonder, my amazing son, what you would come up with as my strengths and weaknesses. I wonder what yours will be when you're reading this and when you're my age. Whatever they are, I love you.