12.11.2007

x & y

By definition it was inevitable that she and her son would end up in different generational classifications, but it didn’t mean she had to like it. So when she sat him down to discuss the gap between them, she had all her points carefully inked and bulleted on a lined index card for clarity.

“We need to talk,” she started, sounding more like a woman about to end a relationship than one trying to speak to her own offspring.

“Um,” he responded in perfect teen pitch that signaled obligation rather than interest.

But before she could continue, she flashed on her childhood of wonder, the time of bb guns and endless bike rides, of games of ditch in hotel corridors and shoplifting at the local five and dime. Hers was the more disobedient generation, the one operating outside parental observation.

Be home before dark’ was the extent of adult guidance. That and ‘The Golden Rule.’

What if she could shift right now in this precise moment and offer her son those few words? She could tear up her list and allow him the freedom to encounter error and hurt, to walk his own path and learn his own way. She could give him that gift, if only she could do so and still breathe.


6 comments:

Anonymous said...

"... if only she could do so and still breathe."

How beautifully those words distill down an experience of parenthood.

Neil said...

Deezee, this might sound weird, but I haven't even read your post. I was just too excited to SEE that you wrote a post, so I'm commenting first.

Willie Baronet said...

Was she able to do it??

p.s. Swooning is good. ;-)

deezee said...

rrramone,

oh yeah. and it's a daily practice.

neil,

I think there's more to come. be forewarned.

essgee,

we walk the walk together, eh?

-- deezee

Girlplustwo said...

i want more, babe. what happened next. (and i am so glad you are writing again here, for me to read)

QT said...

There are hard lessons in life that can only be learned by trying and failing, no matter how much we want to warn the ones we love.

I can't wait to see how this is resolved.