Time Warp
Friday, February 19th, 2010
In reading all the heartfelt and funny-in-a-stressed-out-way blogs of Mamas raising young children and teenagers, I find myself reminiscing of times gone by when I, too, shared many of the same everyday experiences.
Thinking of how I stretched my patience to the max trying to appease my young children’s wishes for entertaining their many friends, taking on new extracurricular classes and being at their beck and call day and night, leaves me to wonder where that never-ending patience is now.
I often find myself snapping at my loyal husband who has stood by my side with enduring love for over 30 years. Seems his simple requests even to pick up a few extra items at the grocery store will set me off. I am not like that all the time, but do find myself identifying more and more with the Maxine cartoon character’s attitude of indifference.
Then there are days when I find myself wanting to cuddle my son and daughter like I did when they were younger, each of us thankful to have the other to lean on for support and loving-kindness. To try and keep that feeling alive in an empty nest is a test of my personal strength.
It has become less common for my young adult children to share with me the everyday details of their lives, as they used to while growing up. Truthfully, they have their many friends to confide in about the juicy titbits of their new romance, ongoing job stress or friendship woes. On the odd occasion I do become privy to any of their hot topics, I feel like listening with my whole being in order to savor the honor of being allowed a peak into their independent lives.
All in all though, I have much to be thankful for as I maintain loving relationships with both my children and am joyful that we made so many wonderful memories along the way.
ABOUT THIS AUTHOR
I have been enthusiastic about writing for self-expression since parenting, marriage, and coping with the ups and downs of life needed a platform to be heard. Originally poetry became my license to vent, praise, and describe the many varied emotions I was experiencing. Now for the past few years I have been searching and honing in on my storyteller voice. I have been drumming up personal memoir tales that truly surprise even me at the amount of detail I am able to recall. I hope to continue on sharing both poetry and stories thanks to the boost the Writing Mamas Group is giving me on a regular basis.
4 Comments
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You’ve just taught me a new word: TITbit! All my life, I’ve used the word “TIDbit” but yours is much more provocative especially when described as a “juicy titbit!”
I’d like to feel more from this piece Cynthia. It feels subdued, quieted down. You had all this patience but now it’s gone? It’s hard to keep the feelings of closeness alive in an empty nest? Let me feel it: Abandonment. Wondering, why doesn’t my husbamd elicit these feelings? Rage that he doesn’t. Confoundment that I might feel this way, after all many women haven’t got husbands. Write as if you are not your life but the person driving it.
Sooo true, when you say you are listening with your whole being when I tell you stories about my life. You seem to jump for joy (on the inside) when I share the juiciyness, your eyes beam with excitement…You are a great cuddle when I need it…your arms embrace me with love and acceptance.
I love how you materialize this entire post into the nest with feathers. Like a chick into flight!