She studies the bottom of her glass, slowly swirling the ice cubes against the root beer bubbles. She’s been talking for more than an hour and I’m listening with ears, heart and clenched teeth. Sixth grade politics are taking their toll, she’s grateful for the simple things, the uncomplicated things and people who care enough to listen.
I don’t have any answers. In fact, I give her the option of talking to me woman-to-woman, instead of to me, her mother. Sometimes, she needs to do just that. It’s probably for the best that I set my mom-hat aside, because tonight I’m hearing things that any self-respecting mother would lose her religion over. As a mom, I have a responsibility to act on things I hear. Things I know. Tonight, we are just two individuals. No hats, no titles.
She’s sorting things out as she speaks, carefully choosing her words and looking straight through me with that Look. Tonight, she won an award for her photography on a regional level and her photo project goes on to the state level this month. We should be celebrating this, and we are- in our own way.
We’re going off the grid, unplugging and catching a flight out of the ice fog, very soon. There will be sunlight and warmth and grass-green and liquid water. There will be laughter. There will be tears. There will be time. Together.
I'll catch you on the flipside... in a couple weeks.
I don’t have any answers. In fact, I give her the option of talking to me woman-to-woman, instead of to me, her mother. Sometimes, she needs to do just that. It’s probably for the best that I set my mom-hat aside, because tonight I’m hearing things that any self-respecting mother would lose her religion over. As a mom, I have a responsibility to act on things I hear. Things I know. Tonight, we are just two individuals. No hats, no titles.
She’s sorting things out as she speaks, carefully choosing her words and looking straight through me with that Look. Tonight, she won an award for her photography on a regional level and her photo project goes on to the state level this month. We should be celebrating this, and we are- in our own way.
We’re going off the grid, unplugging and catching a flight out of the ice fog, very soon. There will be sunlight and warmth and grass-green and liquid water. There will be laughter. There will be tears. There will be time. Together.
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| February, 2007 Des (J Fryberger Photo) |
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13 smart remarks:
Congratulations to your sweet girl. You sound like a good mom. It's hard putting aside the whole "I need to be a mom" thing. I've had to put that hat back on a few times after being told things that had to be handled. Such as girls smoking pot during lunch while my daughter was with them. Thank goodness there was a thankfulness for my intervention as far as that went.
Today, I've had to really decide what the right thing to do is, as far as what I was told (I'll be posting this in a blog tomorrow, but I'll say it here too). They are taking a leadership class that's being taught by a teacher who has never taught before or actually led something. This woman passed out surveys for the students to fill out on each other with comments. Apparently one girl was singled out and told horrible things... not only did the teacher read these out loud, but she also gave them to the students to keep. This is a girl who has already tried to commit suicide. It's all I can do not to go up to that school and ask why this woman is teaching this class. That's not teaching kids how to be leaders and I feel for this girl. My daughter was upset for this girl, which is why she told me... but, if I go up there, she may be done telling me things. Eh...
Enjoy your time with your daughter away from the winter. We aren't having a winter here which really scares me for the summer...
I sure wish my mother would have taken her hat off, even just once. What a wonderful joy for her, (and I clearly see why from the photo) to be on the top of her game....hmm like mother like daughter, she's learning from one of the best. Enjoy your unplugging and getting away to be just free and enjoying what ever comes your way.
You should be a proud Mom. Not easy to listen without the Mom hat on. Have a great time in the green.
go be her mom and her friend...and ear and experience...and so cool on her picture that is awesome ti...travel light
Congrats on her photography award. Enjoy your unplugging time and each other.
Very cool on Des's Photo!
Enjoy the warmth of weather and family, unplugged and free :)
hugs~
Congratulations to Des. The photo os wonderful, and she must be thrilled.
You do sound like a great mother. But then, I've known that ever since you adopted me...
Tell her congratulations on the photo contest. So awesome!
So great that she has a mom that cares and knows that a daughter needs both a mother and a friend. Sometimes the line between the two gets blurred a bit, but at least she knows that you are in her corner.
Have a great trip. :)
Green with envy over your flight to green! Congrats, Des, on the great photo, and good luck at the next level!
Have fun at Disney World!
awww, this is so great on so many levels. :)
I can't even fathom how great it must be to have you as a mom.
Sounds like you need that break, sometimes growing up can be so hard that you just need to step off the grid for a while. Hope it works
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