have you ever looked up the definition of mother? go do it. i'll wait. once you get through the more obvious words, you come to this: a woman in authority. and if you keep reading you get to: something that is an extreme example of its kind especially in terms of scale <see the mother of all construction projects>.
so today let's talk about construction. the construction of a mother. or as in my case perhaps the deconstruction as i gingerly negotiate writing censorship <mine> and the request to write less honestly <boys i live with>. i wish i was more like nora ephron whose boys remember her always saying, "everything is copy" meaning anything that happens is fodder to be retold in print. unapologetically. maybe i will someday. but until then, i type ever so gingerly. i tread lightly on the writing.
speaking of treading lightly. nearly 17 years ago, my life took a turn down a path that i don't know if i'll ever clearly understand or fully grasp the rigors it brings (present tense). i've written about it here <see censorship comment>. aired my dirty laundry. expounded on the triumphs and the trials. mostly, i am still that incredulous person wondering when am i going to set sail onto calmer waters in respect to life and specifically mothering. but y'all. it's not happening. and based on the conversations i collect with older mothers, i am beginning to realize that calmer waters are a myth.
i can only venture to guess that it has something to do with the fact that i am trying my best to wrangle some pretty fierce and often ferocious people who i hope will be fierce and ferocious grown ups someday. in all the best ways of course. ferocious for good and for justice and for mercy. fierce for truth and perseverance and grit and courage. those are my hopes. for these souls that have been set in my life to watch and learn from and enjoy and to try REALLY try to instill with bits and pieces of wisdom.
but also to be humbled by these boys of mine who remind me that i've worked really hard to make them independent and then they go and be INDEPENDENT! sometimes in good ways. sometimes not.
the bigger the kid, the bigger their, ahem, let's call them situations.the stakes just get bigger and bolder and grander and potentially more fantastic, right?
this year, i've been stunned by mine and their situations. i've been bowled over by them and heartbroken and clearly as you can tell by my lack of writing, silenced. all in good ways. mostly.
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| That time your son was recognized by the College of American Pathologist and you stood in the wings and watched. |
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| That time you were checking your phone and looked up to see... |
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| That time you heard a voice overhead-and this time is was a real. |
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| That time your youngest wrote you a note. |
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| That time you watched from your front porch as your boy ran by on his way to his cross country meet. |
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| That time your kids decided to entertain the neighbors with a little FIRE works show. |
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| That one time the coast was clear so you sat to flip through stacks of magazines. |
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| EVERYDAY.ALLDAY. |
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| The time your kid asked you to give him some ink. |
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| He tried. So did she. |
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| That time a boy wondered what he would look like with bolder eyebrows. |
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| Middle school p.e. uniforms. Enough.Said. |
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| THOSE MANY HOURS CHEERING IN THIS FIELD. |
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| That time you sold stuff from a parking lot to raise money for these boys' school. |
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| That time your boy decided he wanted to try a new hobby. |
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| Snoop Dog just cause.
so i continue to tread lightly as i wrestle through writing and parenting. and wondering how i can do both with honesty. i would love to hear from you bloggers who have older kids. how do you do it?
but before i go, i leave you with this, one of my favorite photos with one of my favorite reminders...
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and if you have an hour to spare, listen to this podcast. i was the mother's day guest. we chat bono,jeans and b-12 shots just to name a few.
xo,
gf
