So far this year, the kid from Chicago has visited once and the college kid has spent two weekends at home. I squeezed them every chance I got. Not only did they squeeze me back, they're prone to special things like doing my chores for me when I'm not paying attention and bringing me treats when I'm working. They're consistently the best.
It's painful doing video calls with my dad and sis... because from my side of things, my mom's absence is so plain. It's difficult also because my mom was the chatty one on that side, the one with whom I shared books and shows, and now it's just the three of us being sad.
My mom was so very chatty. I always laugh when I think of that one time At was on a phone call with my mom (maybe when At was 9/10 years old). At had been silent on the call for a while, so I whispered encouragement to say something, and At shot back, "I'm still waiting for Ammama to stop talking." Haha. Good times.
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Pic: A glimpse of The Maple River. Cold. It's going to stay in the single digits all week.
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Pic: A glimpse of The Maple River. Cold. It's going to stay in the single digits all week.
16 comments:
Lol, your Amma sounds like my Aunt Myrna. Whenever my dad would be talking to her on the phone, it would be like "Oh........*long silence*........well.......but did......Okay" (she is the one who passed away just last month, and the world is a less chatty place now)
A loooong time ago, when the boys were still in high school, you had said something to me about missing four faces around the table, and that stuck with me all this time. I do miss those days but also, when Mark does come home and there are four faces around the table, it is SO wonderful. So the joy of having him visit makes up for his absence. I hope that is the same for you, when your kids come home and squeeze you. xoxoxo
Enjoy.
Yep. I think that's common in families. Often it's the mother who kind of holds everything together. Well... you'll find a new way of being with your dad and sister, but I can imagine the sadness and emptiness right now.
I'm glad you have two such wonderful kids!!!!!!
My mom is the same way on the phone. It's hard to get a word in edgewise sometimes.
Well, women are better communicators overall. We just are. It's even Science. I'm sure your dad appreciates seeing you even if he doesn't seem to have much to say.
I think once kids move out and are on their own, they gain a little perspective as to all that moms do, especially for them. It's nice when they find ways to sort of acknowledge that. And I can't imagine your kids being anything but thoughtful and generous.
That is fully about At waiting patiently to get a word in! Chatty people are so fun to be around. It is nice to be around people who keep the conversation flowing. My dad is a man of fewer words and more of an observer. But he's come out of his shell as bit as he gets older. But it would be different without my mom as she's the person who arranges our facetime chats. I'm not sure how my dad would be about that without her!
I’ll bet those calls are sad. SIGH. Ted is the chatty one here, and conversations can become one sided. It’s funny sometimes to listen to him on the phone, because I imagine the person at the other end waiting for a break in the chatter. I tend to wait for a natural pause, more than a breath, which means sometimes I don’t get to say anything unless I shove my way in.
I'm so sorry about your Aunt Myrna, Nicole; she sounds so comfy and lovely. I guess she's the one whose card got returned.
I'm so glad you get to see Mark and get that old dinner time feeling!
Thank you!
Thanks, Jenny... Have you read, Cheryl Strayed's _Wild_. What you said about moms really takes off there!
Aw! I love that, Steph!
We text everyday, but my dad is hard of hearing, so, as you say, he really does appreciate just seeing me. He's an amazing human.
My kids have their moments and I'm grateful for them :)!
That's so lovely about your dad coming out of his shell, Lisa... I wonder if Will's adulation has anything to do with it!
After that first sentence, I smiled all the way through... I loved getting a glimpse into your speaking style, J! I can totally see Ted as chatty (radio folk) and you as a more attentive and chary conversationalist.
I'm so glad you are getting good squeezes with At and Nu. Even if there are good times in the empty nest, you still miss them and those hugs matter. I can see why that phone calls are really difficult. Connecting but someone is missing and the rhythm of them has changed. My dad was a chatty one -- never met a stranger. It's a plus and a minus!
I love that your dad was chatty, Jeanie! Thank you for saying that, because it reminds me that my dad can be chatty too. I guess this just not a chatty season of life right now...
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