Girl Truths

Andrea Carey
Cumberland House Publishing (2005)
ISBN 1581824637
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (07/06)

Andrea Carey has collected bits of wisdom both she and her mother learned through out their life.  Rarely do we take time to truly learn who our mothers are.  Even more rarely do we take time to truly listen to what they’ve learned from life.  Instead we prefer to learn our wisdom the hard way.  Ms Carey originally wrote this book for her daughter.  “We wanted to be able to leave a record—to say, ‘These are the things we want you to know,’ even after we were no longer here to say them.”  This book contains “advice and wisdom picked up from both family and friends as we had traveled through life.”

Only after Andrea’s mother was diagnosed with cancer did she “truly come to appreciate this woman as a person—full of humor, grand schemes, ideas, and laughter.”  The two made the transition from mother/daughter to friends.  Andrea is from a long line of “southern women who would not hesitate to tell you exactly what they thought about anything, and could deliver even harsh truths while making sure you understood they loved you anyway.”  The advice and wisdom is simple, and down to earth.  “Many girls out there face the challenges and unknowns of growing up with out anyone to share life lessons with them.  The world is a different place for our daughters than it was in our generation, and it’s light-years from what it was in our mothers’ time. Yet some truths still apply, and some experiences are universal.”

Just a few of the items discussed are:  “The girls you see in magazines and on TV look a lot like you in real life. “,   “Don’t let food become a crutch or an enemy—it is neither.” “Anything worth having must be earned.” “There are so many wonderful things out there. Be sure to fully love and live the life you have.” “Other people’s opinions can’t affect you unless you let them.”  Sounds simple doesn’t it.  So why did it take me so long to learn these things.  Come to think of it some of them I still haven’t learned.

I like this book.  Ms Carey has conveyed her messages in a simple, straightforward manner.  The messages may be simple but so important.  I wonder, what if I’d read this earlier in my life?  Would I have made the same decisions?  Both of my granddaughters will be receiving a copy of this book, when they can read.  My daughter and daughters-in-law may also be receiving a copy.  This would make an excellent Christmas gift!  Thank you Andrea!

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