Inspirational Ginger

Some of you may be familiar with the TV show Reba. This show began in 2001 when I was only 5 years old. Even though it 6 years ago, you can still watch it on CMT weekdays, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't still sneak in a couple of episodes during the week. This show has been one of the only that I've ever seen where there are constant references to a redhead's hair color. If you don't know the show to which I am referring, it is about a lady, Reba, whose husband leaves her for his pregnant mistress at the same time her teenage daughter gets pregnant. The show follows them for the next 6 years as The ex-husband, his new wife, their son, Reba, and her four children, including her now son-in-law, and her granddaughter learn to live together. As I said before, they often make reference to her read hair, most of the time in comparison to her fiery temper. This show is more than just a comedic sitcom, it shows the strength of a women who managed to hold her family together even as she stood before it watching it fall apart. Her sassy attitude and quick, witty remarks that the other characters of the show attributed to her red hair just made it that much better. Reba also handed down her red hair to her middle daughter Kira. Kira had the same dry wit as her mother, without the fiery temper. In fact, it was quite the opposite as she sat calm and relaxed while the rest of the family was normally exploding with emotions and being over dramatic. That's not to say that Kira didn't have her moments, she was a teenager for the majority of the show, and teenagers are nothing if not argumentative. So, even though Reba played the stereotypical hot blooded read head that always had to get the last word in, Kira was on the other end of the spectrum, which I think was a great decision by the directors to not type cast both redheads in the show with the same personality.  

I encourage anyone to check out this show, whether you are ginger or not, because it has some important life lessons squeezed between witty retorts and playful banter. It can be serious or sad, depending on what you need at that time, all the while being a classic 30 minute sitcom where everything works out in the end and everyone forgives each other.