DESIGNATED DAUGHTER~The Bonus Years With Mom~D.G. Fulford with Phyllis Greene-A BOOK REPORT

The title of the book alone, DESIGNATED DAUGHTER-The Bonus Years with Mom, tugged hard at my heartstrings.  I knew I had to read this book , written by author D.G. Fulford along with her mother Phyllis Greene.  You see, I am a Designated Daughter, in fact I am the ONLY daughter to my mother.  Along with my other titles of Wife and Mother, I have worn this title proudly for many years. I also knew that reading this book would unleash a roller coaster of emotions, and of course it did.  I absolutely loved this book!

"A Secret Society of Women Recognizable to One Another" is how D.G. Fulford describes this PRIVATE but large CLUB known as The Designated Daughters.  I totally agree! We can spot one another any time, any place, and often nod to each other as we cross paths, whether at The Mall or at the Supermarket, just like anyone would do when running into a familiar face.

Being a Designated Daughter, can be quite challenging at times, but the rewards are immense.  Two women set in their ways, with their own lives, schedules and daily rituals co-existing within the same space.  Each one learning from the other, as life goes on.  Eventually the special bond between them, growing, if that is at all possible, until they become each other's Best Friend and Rock of Support. I sense that this is the case between the author and her mother.  It certainly is between my mother and I.

I couldn't help smiling as D.G. Fulford describes her mother as"Talbots" and herself as "Jeans," her mother as having her Dinner Table always co-ordinated with matching tablecloth and napkins, she as having fed her daughter Maggie "A BAKED POTATO" for Dinner, every night for years.(I can sooo relate to this!).  Phyllis Greene (The Mom), describes her daughter Debby (D.G. Fulford), as a "Dreamer" and "Artsy".  She calls her a "Taurus" and herself a "Post(Emily)."All the apparent differences merely cosmetic as their souls are woven togethe ,like a beautiful tapestry, forever.

Phyllis Greene's eloquent writing at the end of each chapter is very inspiring and offers a unique perspective, now as The Mother, once as The Daughter herself.  Mrs. Greene's gift for words is just amazing! 

I really enjoyed reading DESIGNATED DAUGHTER-The Bonus Years with Mom.  Besides the story of the special relationship between the author and her mother, there are other stories of mothers and daughters within the book as well.

As I fling my mom's Vera Bradley tote, over my shoulder along with my own, while I push her wheelchair through the mall looking for just the right whatever it is we're searching for today, I am glad that I am the Designated Daughter.  I am also too aware that each passing day brings the unavoidable closer.  The dreaded "Elephant" as Phyllis Greene calls it will eventually show up. I don't want that day to come.  You see,  I also hate "The Elephant."