Be comfortable in your own skin. What you think about is OK. What you believe in is OK. What you think is important is OK.

Everyone says: “be yourself,” but they never really say what that means.

It took me a long time to be comfortable in my own skin, but now I am. I used to be really conscious of other people’s opinions or perceptions. Turning 50 was a part of getting over those feelings, but there were other things that work too. Working in nursing, working in the emergency room, and having to use my own judgment were all a part of it.

I would just like my kids to have that comfort earlier in their lives.

My other words of wisdom: be honorable. Not long ago we had a family incident where I could have been really angry, but that would only have hurt me. Generally the best thing to do is also what makes me feel the best.

My hope for my kids is that they are the best Alyssa, Anda and Abby on the face of the earth.