I am cursed with my mother 's arthritis but blessed with my father 's stamina ; his toughness , her kindness . Author : As a child , she saw a life that was as close to ` ` Not - My - Life '' as possible . Now at middle age , Julia still wants the good partns of both her parents . She wants her father 's cheerful view of himself that he maintained until the day he died . Also wants her mother 's ability to sustain close , long - term relationships .
Author : As a child , she saw a life that was as close to ` ` Not - My - Life '' as possible . Now at middle age , Julia still wants the good partns of both her parents . She wants her father 's cheerful view of himself that he maintained until the day he died . Also wants her mother 's ability to sustain close , long - term relationships .