An 18 year old's kind of attitude. The defiant look attitude. The lazy, I don't care attitude. The combination of hormones and the realization of independence attitude. My 18 year old daughter was no exception. She was in your face, Facebook attitude. Music Attitude. Friends attitude. I'm taking the car attitude. Her attitude was getting to me. Now it is her attitude that has inspired me to write this hub.

My 18 year old daughter is no longer Eden, she is now Private Eden. Read about my concerns about her joining the army in this hub. But that was before, now, she is an official member of the Israeli army. She has just completed her 4 weeks of basic training. Basic training! My daugher! My daughter, the same one who barely opens her eyeballs before 1pm was up at 4am, guarding the army base. My daughter who loves her low cut jeans and tank tops was wearing her green army uniform but secretly happy despite the poor fit because it brought out the green in her eyes. We both giggled when she told me about the 3am morning shift and how she was cold and wanted to warm her hands in her pockets but coudlnt find them because she had dressed in the dark and her pants were inside out! My daughter who had no problem being sick for school, did 14 hours of kitchen duty, 3 days in a row, covering for other girls who were too "sick". We were so proud when she graduated 4 weeks of basic training with honors and was told she received the position of her choice.

 She took 5 buses, and travelled 8 hours across the country, only to find out that the position had been promised to someone else. Her voice cracked that night when she called home to tell us her long list of disappointments which among the big ones included sleeping on the top bunk without a ladder, not having a locker and having to keep all her things on the floor under the bed. My heart broke when she said she was lonely as she was tne newest girl to join that base and that everyone she met told her there was no way she would receive the position she so badly wanted. I comforted her over the phone as best I could, offering my love and understanding, recognizing her pain and just listening to the daily challenges she described, as I struggled to fight back the tears and fierce desire to protect my baby!

The next day she sounded sounded stronger. A new girl had arrived and Eden spent the day making her feel comfortable,while she herself waited to be told what her position would be. She spent the next 48 hours helping where she could and making the best of it. "Mom" she said, "I decided to smile, because I figured if I whined, I would never get the position I wanted. So I smiled and helped and made friends and focused on making the best of it.  I stopped caring about the position and focused on fitting in with the people in the base. I started feeling like I belonged and I got an even better position that what I had originally requested. You know, she said nonchalantly, it really only is a matter of attitude!"

 I have never been so proud of my daugther as I was that moment. I stopped the car on the side of the road and cried. Tears of joy ran down my face. I knew my daugther has what it takes to finish strong. Finishing strong is the name of the game. A few days later when she came home for the weekend, I shared this inspirational movie with her. She was so proud that I considered her to be among the ranks of those in the film. I am a proud to be her mother and to know that perhaps a little part of me contributed to that great part of her.

Dear Army

You have army property called private Eden. To YOU she may be property, but to ME she is my beautiful first born granddaughter, so please treat this property very well.

1. Since she was little she likes cool shanti clothes, so PLEASE change the design of your uniform because honestly, you have to admit it is definitely not shanti in Khaki.

2. Would you mind weaving her identification tags with pretty colored yarns, because she always wears bracelets.

Please let Private Eden sleep until 2:00pm or as they say in the army 14:00, because if not she gets very grumpy..and you do not want grumpy army property!

3. Could you arrange for your property to go to parties every night. Private Eden did this every night and we do not like to SHOCK army property into reality

4. Your property is beautiful, creative and very bi-lingual, so you might want to use your property to its fullest potential,say as a model soldier in a movie., Oh and could you let her direct it? She got very good marks on directing..and I am sure she will hold the camera steady even if she has to crawl on her tummy, climb net ropes, or clean a gun.

Thank you for taking good care of Private Eden

Sincerely,Private Eden's; Bubby Ruth