The summer of 1983, my Mom and I traveled through Europe. I was a mouthy, spoiled, hard-headed 14 year old who thought she was a woman. My Daddy sent me and my Mom to Europe to work our stuff out. He was tired of us bickering and decided to send us away. I was testing my Mom and she wasn’t having it….there was only ONE woman in the Ford house.

I did NOT WANT to go at all…smh smh. I was pissed off at the airport when we left. We went to Germany first and we were, well…I was battling. My Mom said (well yelled) “LOOK! I HAVE NEVER RAISED ANYONE BEFORE…I HAVEN’T A CLUE WHAT I AM DOING…YOU ARE IT!!” Then we did the Euro Rail through the Swiss Alps…the train was the turning point. It was hand holding from then on. I saw my Mom as a person, not just my Mom. She let her steel wall down and showed her vulnerabilities and she saw MY ABILITIES!

This trip always brings a smile to my face…we truly became friends over those 6 weeks….strengthening a bond that will never be broken.

This was a portrait drawn of me on a beach in Firenze, Italy.

I hadn’t a clue….the eyes tell it all.