We're driving our girl and one of her friends back to school tomorrow. Packing is in full swing. We had lots as laughs as she spent a good hour in front of the bathroom mirror taming that mass of hair. I was the brush and flat iron holder and giver, and our conversation roamed everywhere. At one point she thanked me for not being a Jamaican version of a Tiger Mom. "I'm not?" I asked her, thinking of the high school scholar program I made her apply to in 7th grade, and how she threw herself across the bed crying and wailing that I was ruining her life. "No, you're reasonable," she said. "I think you would be upset if we didn't have good moral character and if we were irresponsible and lazy. But other than that, you let us choose our lives." I'll take that. And trust it will all work out. Now we're heading across the street to get tiny pots of gelato which we will eat outside under the trees as night falls.
See? Distraction. Love. And going outdoors. Thank you everyone for your absolutely wonderful suggestions on my last post. I will go back to that comment stream again and again. It's so rich. So wise.
As are you.
ReplyDeleteLoving you to pieces.
M
Mary, loving you back!
DeleteDo you think your low mood has something to do with your daughter leaving? It is so hard to let our babies go.
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is a gem in your crown of life. I know that sounds flaky but I have no other way to describe her.
Birdie, it probably does have something to do with that, but I better get used to that because this is life, now. I'm touched you see her glow.
DeleteThis sounds like a lovely, bittersweet evening :)
ReplyDeleteHannah, more sweet than not, thankfully!
DeleteI've said it a million times, but that girl is radiant. And I know the eye behind the camera is as well -- I'm sorry, though, that you have to see her go again. I know that's hard.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, i never tire of hearing it, i confess, because I marvel at her radiance, too. xo
DeleteYour daughter is beautiful. "That mass of hair"? Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI know we need our children to grow up and go away, but I loved the years when they were close within my orbit. It's hard to say goodbye each time they leave.
jenny_o, the cycle of coming and goings never ends once it begins, it seems. i loved when they were small, too, and i knew their every move, although i remember being just as angsty back then. I suppose I bring my essential nature up through the years, much as i might like to leave some aspects behind! xo
DeleteI'm glad you're able to talk so openly with your daughter. I'm not sure I've ever had a conversation with my mom about her parenting -- though she did well by us and I'd have nothing negative to say!
ReplyDeleteSteve, my kids feel very free to express their opinions about my parenting, believe me! You mother clearly did well by you.
DeleteI would quite happily settle for that judgement at the end of my run. That is one great evaluation.
ReplyDeleteMwa, so far so good, but definitely not the end of the run. I think the run never ends, actually. xo
DeleteI hope so. You know what I meant. :-)
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