I’ve been thinking about a cool gift idea that I picked up from thoughtful Murfreesboro mom Emily Zietz.

I got to know Emily last year after speaking to daughter Olivia’s Girl Scout Cadette troop, when they invited me to help introduce them to thrift store shopping as part of a “dollars and sense” merit badge. The fifth- and sixth-grade girls and I shopped almost till we dropped at the Murfreesboro Goodwill, and I must say, we had a blast.

A month or so later, Emily contacted me and told me she was making a special 13th birthday gift for Olivia, and she wondered if I would participate by answering 10 questions.

She wrote: “I am compiling some comments from special people in her life and would love to include some from you. Since you’ve had daughters, I know you know what a teen girl needs to hear. Please let me know if you could spare a few minutes and help me surprise her with this for her birthday.”

Emily’s “Words of Wisdom to Olivia” questionnaire was a birthday-focused quiz, but it could easily be tweaked to make sense for a graduation or other big transition in life, such as marriage or even new parenthood.

I wish I had done something like this for my own daughters. It really would be simple to pull off, and the special bound book that Emily presented to Olivia was priceless.

Emily’s questions were by turns provocative and fun. Here are the questions and my answers:

1. What do you wish someone had told you when you turned 13?

Maybe to push myself more to excel. I slacked off and got away with a lot in high school and really didn’t apply myself in school the way I should have. I also think that taking things for granted was something I did for too long. It is much better to appreciate what you have and know that it is not necessarily a given.

2. What are the three most important qualities a young woman can have?

I think integrity — being honest with yourself and others — is so important. I know that faith in God is crucial, and a sense of humor surely comes in handy, being able to laugh at lots of things, including at yourself.

3. What is the nicest thing someone can say to (or about) you?

I think the nicest thing someone can say to me is that I have helped them in some way. I love to think I have helped someone.

4. What do you wish you had done as a teenager that you did not get to do?

Travel more! I think traveling to all kinds of places stretches you and opens you up to possibilities you may never have considered. Just seeing how other people live and go about their daily business can be so interesting and sometimes inspiring.

5. What mistake have you made that could be a lesson to Olivia?

When I was young, I don’t think I realized how much good there is in almost everybody. There are some people, obviously, who you like more than others, but there is definitely some good and something to be learned and valued in every relationship. One of my best friend’s mother used to say to “never have a conversation with anyone where you don’t learn something about them.” She was so right, because being genuinely interested in others enriches your life, for sure.

6. What is your motto or favorite quote?

Of course, “stay cheap!” Ha ha. But seriously, I love the Eleanor Roosevelt quote: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

7. What is something a friend tells you when you are having a bad day that puts a smile on your face?

Oh, just having a friend let me know they care and realize I am down can usually cheer me up. I am so lucky to have so many friends who stay in regular touch just because they care. Having reliable friends is something that has been wonderful in my life. I try to be a good friend, too, because a true friendship surely goes both ways.

8. What is your best teen memory?

Working at a youth camp with underprivileged children, and seeing how difficult their life was and seeing that they really did not have any good role models. There were a bunch of teens from various Episcopal churches working as counselors, and it was eye-opening to all of us. And very satisfying to play a small, happy part in the lives of these children.

9. What is your most embarrassing moment as a teen or adult?

Asking someone when the baby was due and finding out she wasn’t pregnant. UGGGH! Believe me, now I NEVER ask until the mom makes a point-blank reference to the baby on the way.

10. What skills do you wish you had learned as a teen that have helped you throughout your life?

I wish that I had learned to listen better earlier. Learning to listen — instead of always talking — is such a gift.

I also wish I had learned to speak Spanish! Nowadays, I think everyone needs to speak Spanish.

Your comments to Olivia:

Happy birthday! I know you have a wonderful and exciting road ahead. Don’t miss any of it. Wishing you the best of everything. And always be thankful for having a mom who thinks of cool stuff like this to do for you!

Stay cheap!