As a mother of a strong, and independent 23 year old married daughter, I was especially excited when she got her cosmetology license. Since then she went on to get a Commercial Driver's License so she could team with her over the road truck driving husband. 

I know my daughter's energy is wasted on me, the mother who has lived under a rock for many years as far as style and fashion is concerned. A few years ago she begged and pleaded with me to stop wearing blue eye shadow and was successful in presenting autumn blends to my eyes. 

So, when she said, "Mom, you really need a drastic change," I knew I was entering dangerous and unknown territory once again. The day finally came when she came to me with scissors in hand and said, "Sit here, I'm giving you a "new look!" 

I've worn my hair shoulder length with curls since the early 80's...never veering too far from the overall picture. If you placed my family photos next to each other throughout the years, the only sign of change would be in my laugh lines! 

As I write this story, I am still in shock of it all. I know when children are growing up that they register major events which cause psychological turning points in their lives. Most specifically, my daughter's childhood memories and her inward desire to defeat the empress of destiny, her mother! 

Armed with determination and sharp scissors, my daughter began the attack...all the while exclaiming, "Mother, you are the one who has been saying you need a new hairstyle! I am only doing what YOU have wanted for so long!" I saw at my feet, reddish-blond curls stacking around in a little puff. My heart racing, and attempting to stay composed, I said, "How much longer?" 

Finally, the ritual was complete. Married daughter and the mature and aging mother, who is stripped of all dignity, stand next to each other looking into the mirror. Holly begins the expected and normal accreditation process: "Mother, you are so cute and adorable!" 

Now, how many 48 year old women do you refer to as "cute and adorable?" That was the first clue she was nervous and needed to break the silence as I was turning ashen from the horror of it all! At this point memories of long-necked giraffe's in the wild, coupled with my 4" long German ears exposed, traveled at high speed through my thoughts, not to forget that I never, ever realized my nose was as large as it is! 

I screamed. I think it began with the cute and adorable comment, or maybe it was the comment, "I tried to cut some of the gray hairs out...." but, it began: that long, and fearful abandoned teenage girl who had a pimple come up right before her date with the most popular boy in school type of SCREAM! 

We were no longer standing side by side. I, hysterical ...and the daughter, in fear of her "mother" several feet away, began crying too. 

Immediately, the responsible and semi-mature mother seeing her daughter in tears, and realizing the impact of the situation had caused a loss of self-esteem and self-confidence for us both, stopped and said, "honey, it is not you!" "I am upset with me and the insane idea that I wanted to change!" You are a wonderful beautician.... I, on the other hand, have finally lost my mind. 

My words seemed to make her feel a little better when she said, a little styling gel would make a great big difference in the style...and something else about a "wet" look. 

So, I have a new hairstyle to get use to. I also have a very cool hairstyle for the upcoming Texas summer heat. And, I have something to look forward to: my hair growing out again so I can see the reddish-blonde curls softly falling around my shoulders instead of on the floor in little puffs. 

I hate change, but love new beginnings. Here are to new beginnings every day of your life!

Deb Nyberg