Leave It to Beaver is considered to be, for my generation, the show that ruined us all. We were told, a lot, as the sixties took hold, that not everyone comes from Leave It to Beaver families or lives Leave It to Beaver Lives.
I know that, but I can’t help it. I really do want to be June Cleaver. Some.
I want to appear that svelte in belted dresses. I want June’s gorgeous skin, too.
I want to look calm and collected and elegant, as June does, just hanging around the house. And while I’m hanging out looking that terrific, I want my home to be Cleaver clean.
I want to choose my words carefully, like June, instead of blurting out words that get me in trouble.
And while I’m at it, I’ll trade my Baltimore-born twang for June’s lovely and reassuring voice.
And most of all, I want to bake delicious cookies and cakes like June and never gain an ounce. Oh and I’d like my potholders to look June perfect.
Granted June doesn’t seem to have a lot of hobbies or travel much, but I still want to to be June Cleaver. Almost.
Who do you want to be?
PS. When a daughter asked at 16 to drive to a boyfriend’s down a country road late at night, Cliff lay in bed with his hands folded on his chest as he told her “No.” After she closed our bedroom door, hard, he sighed and said, “I feel like Ward Cleaver.” I guess he has Cleaveritis too!
Friend For The Ride 
I want to be Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side. I want to have that awesome sexy figure and dress fashionably as a mom not a 20 something. I want to be strong and fearless and not bothered by the opinion of others.
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Yep. I’m with you on that one.
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Was that me? You probably should have just let me go 🙂
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I think you’ll be singing a different tune in about 16 years.
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It was sister Laura. And a REALLY dark road and really late!
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I want to be Julia Child; she got to travel, cooked with butter and lived to an old age, was okay with spilling stuff in the kitchen, had joie de vivre, and got a lot of people to stop adding Campbell’s soup to everything. And she had helpers to wash all her pots and pans.
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Ah butter! Those were the days.
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No one comes to mind right now, but when I was in elementary school, I wanted to grow up to be Marlo Thomas on “That Girl”…plucky girl in NYC with fashionable wardrobe and cute, successful boyfriend.
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when i was little i wanted to be “i dream of genie”!!!!
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if i was genie, i would “blink” bad menopause symptoms away……
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I hear you, Judy. But I’m claustrophobic, and could never live in that bottle–I’m sure that “blink” stuff would get me in trouble. I wanted to be Jane Goodall. She didn’t have to wear make up, heels, or pantyhose in the jungle. A trip to Hatteras dimmed my zeal when I realized I was a “bug magnet.” And later, on a trip to South America, I had problems with drinking the water. But I can visit the Duke Primate Center and dream.
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I bet Marlo still looks good.
Judy. I can just see you in that outfit! You’d rock!
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I love your comments, but I am glad that you all are yourselves! You add a richness to life. Yes, I would like parts of me to be different, but different as myself, not someone else’s life.
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Thanks!
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I would pick someone like Gloria Steinem who was willing to fight for women’s rights. Wish I had the courage and drive to march, etc. for what I really believe in. I have alot of rebellious thoughts and ideas, but have never had the courage to stand up for them.
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She’s one gutsy lady and I like that sort of sly smile she has.
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My mother was very similar to June. Looking back I am amazed at how she managed to do all that she did on top of having 4 children! And my father was uncanningly like Ward. As for me, I haven’t decided who I want to be – I am having too good a time just being me!
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Good you’re happy being you. You wonder how June and Ward would have done with a few more kids…
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Good question. I’d like to rock like Tina Turner.
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Fun! Me too-love to have that energy! (even half of it!)
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I’ve had a few times where I’ve wanted to be June Cleaver, too! Then I just remind myself that it’s a lot easier to be that perfect when you have all your words written out for you and you’ve rehearsed them. So much harder in the moment. And so much easier to look put-together when you have stylists doing your hair and makeup and wardrobe.
Still, it’s so hard not to compare who we are with this image of how we’re supposed to be, isn’t it? The same way it’s difficult (read: impossible) not to compare ourselves with the airbrushed, professionally made-up models in magazines.
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You’re right. I always forget they fix the actresses up!
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Love this. But I want to be the Flying Nun.
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Ann, You would be perfect!
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Love this post! My husband and I just had an argument b/c I’d rather read a good book than be June Cleaver. siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh
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Thanks! I had tons of fun writing it. I do recall June reading every now and then, but we get the impression that Ward was perhaps the more dedicated reader, at least in the episode about Beaver and the Three Muskateers.
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well as a straight man that is looking to meet a good woman again, i would certainly love to meet a woman like her that would have been very committed.
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