WRITING SHORT: 13/50

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[Come summer heat, much of my blogging momentum melts away. Hence an experiment until Labor Day: fifty minimalist posts about whatever.]

Phone call from younger son to mom. Son reads mom’s blog. (Most of the time.)

Son:  Hey mom. It’s July 23. Happy birthday!

Son’s mom:  Thank you, sweetheart.

Son:  Anything special on for today?

Son’s mom:  Well, your brother and the kids came down Saturday. Bill brought me a dozen yellow roses. We’re going out to dinner. (Pause.) Did you know my parents were married on July 23, too?

Son:  No I didn’t. Quite a coincidence.

Son’s mom:  Back when I was eleven, twelve, I used to say I was born on my parents’ wedding day. I thought it sounded risqué. A very pregnant bride being rushed to the hospital right after saying “I do!”

Son:  I guess it could happen. How many years earlier did they really get married?

Son’s mom:  Six. Then my mother wanted a baby. She got more than she bargained for. Thirty-six hours of labor. Husband out of a job in the middle of the depression.  I heard all about it. Especially the thirty-six hours of labor. She used to joke I didn’t want to come out. They had to pull me out with forceps. Lazy from the day I was born.

Son (tactfully):  Was that why they didn’t have another?

Son’s mom:  Maybe. But my mother also felt one was enough. When I was pregnant with you, she was not supportive. She asked what I needed another for.

Son (quickly changing subject):  Those little summer posts you’ve been doing lately: how does it feel to just crank one out and be done with it?

Son’s mom: Well, I don’t really just “crank.” It takes time to come up with a topic at least some people might be interested in. Bill says I could write about anything. I don’t know about that.

Son: Sure you can.

Son’s mom: You think? Suppose I wrote about being born on my parents’ wedding anniversary. How would readers feel when I criticize my mother to everyone?

Son: They’d be fine with it. It’s not as if you’re complaining about everything every day.

**********

So son’s mom listened to son. Was son right?

19 thoughts on “WRITING SHORT: 13/50”

  1. You’ve painted a broad picture (somewhat unflattering) of your mother before so I’m not surprised. (My real take-away was that she didn’t think you should have a second child and said so, not the fact that you were born on their anniversary.) No you don’t complain everyday. Mostly you tell a story with facts. I love the conversational format. Fun read.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Pamela Wilkinson

    Yes, son is right, so is Bill. To be honest with yourself and be able to write it down, let alone share with the world, is very brave. Kudos to you! Having been raised with “you don’t air your dirty laundry,” I find your blog refreshing and inspiring. Do you have an extra cape and wrist bracelets to lend out?

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you so much, Pamela, for your very kind words. But you don’t need a phone booth and a change of costume to think and write as honestly as you can. The best tribute to the way your parents raised you, no matter what the actual words that came out of their mouths, is to do just that. As long as you’re not hurting anyone still alive in how you express yourself, you should go for it. I hope you’re inspired enough to do just that. By the way, where would you do it? You seem to be blogless.

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      • Pamela Wilkinson

        I appreciate the encouragement to bare my soul (likened to baring ones breasts for me) via a blog. I have been entertaining the thought of making the leap. Am looking for that proverbial bullet to bite on. Perhaps big girl panties will have to do. Thank you, Nina.

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Nina, a late but not forgotten Happy Birthday! And I had it noted on the calendar! I vote for Son Was Right! Your short posts, I know, take more time to “crank out.” And you hit the thought provoking message mark every time. Christine

    Liked by 1 person

  5. yes, your son was right. It’s annoying when someone complains about everything, or complains all the time. But you’re not at all like that. You don’t have to worry. And of course, I don’t see you cranking out anything. Your writing is well thought out and engaging.

    Liked by 1 person

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