Taking Mom to see Lincoln

Less than 5 minutes into the movie....

Mom:                 I think Lincoln was our greatest president ever.

Martha:             Yes. He was good

10 minutes later...

Mom:                  They didn’t have cars back then.

Martha:              No.  Just horse and buggies.

5 minutes after that...

Mom:                  They really wore big tall hats back then, you know?

Martha:              Yes they did (puts finger to lips in a sssh mode).

10 minutes later....

Mom:                  I think Lincoln was the greatest president we ever had.

Martha/Patty:  Ssssh.

15 minutes later....

Mom:                  Is this movie about Lincoln?

Martha:              Yes.

A few minutes pass..

Mom:                  Is that Abraham Lincoln?

Martha:              Yes, Mom.  Please lower your voice.      

Mom:                 Am I talking too loud?

Martha:             <Nods an emphatic yes>

20 minutes later....

Mom:                  They didn’t have cars back then.

Martha:              <No response>

5 minutes after that...

Mom:                  They really wore those tall hats back then, you know?

Martha/Patty:      <a resigned groan>

a few minutes later...

Mom:                  Our ancestors had slaves.

Martha/Patty:     SSSSH!!!!!

At the climactivc end in which Ammendment 13 is voted on and passed....

Mom:                  What did they just vote on?

Everyone else in theater:  <Softly chortles>

Empty Nesting

I have transitioned to the next chapter of my life. Overhearing the chatter of the two young mothers with offices at the end of the hall have opened my eyes to my newfound reality.  They are overwhelmed with trying to be successful at their jobs, their parenting and their marriages.  They are in the thick of seeking that elusive balance between work and home.  

 

That balance - -  which was so unknown to me a handful of years ago - - has become quite tangible.  Who knew?

I thought back then my chaos was my forever.  Old journals are saturated with penciled-in afterschool events, softball games, gymnastic meets.  The many hats I wore: Chauffer, Nurse, Chaperone, Financier (how much does that uniform cost?!), and Confidante.  i was always tired and there was never enough hours in the day.  I magined the sweet, unknown luxury of having nothing to do after work except go home and stay there.   

Now that that once-imagined time has arrived, it tastes more bitter than sweet.  Empty nest... two little words to describe a big void.