There are two stories with Betty’s mom that touch my heart. First, when Betty asks her mom if she’s masturbating and taking care of herself. I think this highlights the honest and vulnerable conversations mothers and daughters want to have but they remain stuck in the mother-daughter/parent-child dynamic and rarely relate to each other as women; it’s my experience and one that my friends also discuss.
Second, when Betty is at her mom’s bedside and gives her permission to go. Wow, such an honorable way to be loved and supported. This story reminds me that, as women, there are parts of us that no longer serve us and we want to shed but it’s hard to let go of the old way of being. sometimes another person gives you permission to release outdated approaches and other times it’s you giving yourself permission to let go of the old and expand into something new. If we’re in this life or transitioning over, fundamental change can be scary and requires courage.