When you were five, what did you want to be when you grew up?

My mother shot down my career path early. When I expressed my intention of being a cowgirl, Mother stomped that out immediately. “No, you’re not going to be a cowgirl.”

She gave my needs no consideration. It never occurred to me to argue. She was my mother, after all. She was “the boss.” Fortunately, I had a backup plan. “Then I’ll be a ballerina.” I’d recently admired a tutu.

“No, you can’t be a ballerina. Dancing makes you have big legs.”

I don’t know where she got that.

“You’ll probably do just like I did and get married and have kids.”

“That’s stupid! I’m not doing that!”

She didn’t like that smart alec answer. so smacked my bottom and sent me on my way. Just so you know, I never became a cowboy or ballerina but I did get big legs.