Archive for August 22nd, 2008

Aug 22 2008

Posted by Mama under Dating, Middle Age, Relationships

Time To Grow Up – The Ultimate Midlife Crisis

two of the crumbgobblers viewing photos of me when I was young.

Two of the crumbgobblers viewing photos of my brothers and me when we were young.
My rotten kid just kicked me out of the nest. I thought that it was supposed to work the other way round. How did this disgusting state of affairs come about? I’ll tell you how. It all started as a result of a few days in the Bahamas. My daughter wanted to go to Las Vegas to see the shows, and I wanted to hike in Utah, so naturally, we went to Freeport. It was the obvious compromise. Whether or not we liked it (we didn’t) or had a good time (we did) is neither here nor there. The point is that she asked me to write an entry about our vacation for her blog. I did so, and it was wildly (I mean WILDLY) acclaimed. Well, ok, so there were three comments, but even Tolstoy had to start somewhere. Besides, they constituted a sample and were representative of the views of many more visitors. So one thing led to another, and another, and another, and the next thing I knew, Shanel started making noises about the importance of ‘independence’ and ‘the rewards of personal growth’. I ignored her. I also ignored my son when he refused to give me driving directions, “…because you need to learn how to get around, mom. Just exactly HOW long have you been living here???” And I ignored Flora when she said that it was time for me to take an interest in my finances and that she would be thrilled to discuss them with me. Dominique agreed with Flora that it is time that I started to act my age

The four of them have joined forces to kick me out. My claws are dug into the rim, and I’m clinging to the edge with all the tenacity a desperate 59-year old can muster, but they are stomping on my philangies, uttering the universal cries of offspring everywhere: “It’s for your own good!” And “This hurts me more than it does you!” Right. They claim that I said these very words to them, at one time or another, but I’m pretty sure that I did not…

Nevertheless, I’m letting go and trying to fly. Getting lost in town, but not in the woods, thank you very much, re-entering the absolutely terrifying world of dating (So you think that men are friendly creatures, or at least benign? Well, think again. I just hope that I survive on any given day.), and writing a blog of my very own. You know the ancient Chinese curse? ‘May you live in interesting times’? Well, I am, and at the moment the times they seem to be achangin’ way too quickly. Flora (daughter 2 of 3) said something today that puts it all in perspective, though: ‘If all you ever do is what you’ve already done, then all you’ll ever get is what you’ve already got.’ So I’m sailing blindfolded toward the rapids, no oars, no sail, no life vest, and I don’t know if I could go back now, even if I wanted to. It’s scary as all get out, but it is sure as heck beats sitting around being bored, right??? :> RIGHT!

   
 

 

 

        Above: DoFlo in France.  Below: Photo of the elusive tree-hugging Rat, aka Shanel.

Above: DoFlo in France. Right: Photo of the elusive tree-hugging Rat, aka Shanel.

  

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