Life on the (funny) farm

I was born at lunchtime on women's day. I'd like to say that the date and time of my birth would say something about my personality; I'm a strong decisive independent woman, who always takes charge. That rumor is not so.
I grew up in a neighborhood with no children. Halloween was great because every house would buy a bag of candy for me and my siblings and our pillowcases would be full before we made it halfway down the street. Frankly, I loved my neighborhood. I learned compassion and how to be grateful (plus there was always a captive audience). I really only had 3 friends til I was 9 (and we moved): Cory, Laura, and Rebecca.
I sat in the back of the class at school. I fell for peer pressure on a contagious basis; What I mean by that is that I would do what one person would ask me to, and then I felt that I needed to oblige everyone, so no one's feelings would be hurt. I think I did this because I never really learned how to relate to other kids. I was raised around adults (and my brother and sister who beat me up). I watched shows like Murder She Wrote and Columbo. The person I wanted to be like was Jessica Tandy (and was devastated when she passed away).
This has affected me as a 30 year old. I've changed my ways. I'm learning how to say No!. God has helped me stop running through those endless hypotheticals that start when someone doesn't call or is late. I'm searching for a best friend.
Now I take charge when the situation calls for it (because I can't stand wasting time), but by no means am I a take-charge kinda girl. I'm a little outspoken, but I lied for years (another story for another time). And i look to my daughters and I cringe. Why? Well, I have no idea what is a normal amount of time to spend with neighborhood kids (I didn't), I don't know what is an age appropriate arguement for a child is (never had em). Will they ever find thier best friend as a kid? I don't know if they're missing out on something ,but I'm going to take my hypothetical's word for it. That voice keeps telling me that I didn't miss out on anything, so neither are they. It tells me that my caring will one day be acknowledged by my girls and appreciated. It tells me , "ali, suck it up, you're 30, not 13". So, now I'm going to go out there and live like the girl born at 12:11 on March 8... maybe, if that's ok with you.