My son and daughter are as different as they can be. My daughter has her dad's genes, outgoing, headstrong, determined and being a Taurus, bull headed, as my grandmother used to say. She is quick with a smile, can carry on a conversation with most anyone and has been with the same job for sixteen years.

When she was born, she did not want to be touched. She would not let me rock her or hold her when she got older. She wanted to be independent from the day she arrived on this earth and I could tell, she would be very mischievous from the day she was two.

My son would let me rock him all night long if I could have held out. I enjoyed rocking him and I am sure I would have my daughter but, as soon as she got in my lap, she would want to get down. Then, we had to get corrective shoes for her to wear at night and she slept on her stomach all night in her crib. My heart went out to her and I wanted to take those shoes and fling them out the window.

Thinking back, my mother told me that I would never let her rock me so I suppose my daughter inherited some of my genes.

I believe, though, my son has more of my genes. His eyes are brown like mine and he has a gentle way about him until someone upsets him but I suppose that is the way everyone is. My daughter's eyes are gray. She's been told that she has a cool stare if she if offended.

My daughter is good at taking chances. My son wants everything to be just right. He is a chef and plays bass guitar in a band. I am proud of them both but, they went different ways. I love them both very much.

I live with my son but my daughter thinks I should live on my own. I suppose I should but, right now, I can still help out with the baby sitting. Maybe sometime.

My children's pet cats were an example of them - one was feisty and kicked when you picked him up. The other, my son would wrap her around his neck and she would stay there.

Children don't understand that there is different but equal love. My own grandchildren are that way, also.

My daughter's oldest daughter, when she was very little, would sleep with me sometimes. I left to come back to my son's and when I went back to see her, she would hardly take a nap with me. I suppose she felt I had abandoned her.

I just don't know how to explain to them that I do love them both the same. But, I guess it's been that way for years and will be that way for years to come.

Learn more about this author, E. V. SHAW.
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