As I glance in the rear view mirror of our lives, I use the information to make adjustments and move forward.
This handsome guy is Aaron, my middle son. He is currently a student at Middle Tennessee State University. Aaron is a lot like his mom, but in the male version. As I ponder his childhood, I see a lot of myself, for good or bad. Like me, Aaron plays his cards close to his vest & only shares when it is his idea!
His last two years of high school, I believe Aaron only spoke in mono syllables and grunts. It was like living with a caveman! The answer to every question was "fine". How was school? "Fine" Work? "Fine" Girlfriend? "Fine"
I began requiring Aaron to speak to me in complete subject & verb sentences! How was work? "Work was fine." Finally, I required him to speak at least one sentence with a minimum of ten words. And don't think for one minute he ever spoke a sentence with eleven.
When Aaron was in 9th grade, we had to see a neurologist for his severe migraine headaches. After multiple tests & medical questionnaires, doctors could not pinpoint a cause for the headaches. Only recently did Aaron share with us that he had been in a fight at the local mall. Evidently, another boy had slammed Aaron's head into the concrete during the scuffle. The headaches started soon after this incident. That would have been nice to have known at the time.
After this look in the rear view mirror, I have tried to back off from asking Aaron so many questions. This was an adjustment to improve our relationship. I like to talk when I'm in the mood, so I have had to allow Aaron the same privilege. I sure miss him, even when he is quiet.
Aaron got the Wimpy gene for keeping one's business private.
ReplyDeleteI remember our father, Gus Wimpy, scolding me for giving out information over the phone.
I loved to answer the phone and tell strangers exactly what we were doing.
He taught me to say (when someone called for him), "He can't come to the phone. Can I take a message."
He was usually in bed napping or smoking a cigar (in the evening) when people would call to get their TV fixed.
I remember that too! I don't think mother ever talked more than 5 minutes at any one time. And I don't remember ever seeing daddy on the phone much. When daddy & glen had the hauling business, seems like mother took all the messages. Daddy was big into taking messages! Doesn't mean he returned the call, he just always wanted us to take a message. Was it Aunt Betty who called over & over and could never get anyone?
ReplyDeleteI am laughing so hard my sides ache!
ReplyDeleteI think that it was Maxine that called all weekend; some relative had died and no one at home would answer the phone.
I can never remember seeing Daddy talk on the phone at home. We had the one phone in the hallway at the kitchen counter.
As I think back, it was probably Maxine and Bettye both that called at different times.
Glen has said he has called my house and not been able to get anyone. He calls my cell phone now. I had to get in the habit of answering when Jeff was so sick.
ReplyDeleteOne time Jeff's mom left a message that she thought we must be out of town cause no one had answered the phone in days. I couldn't bear to tell her I just don't answer the home phone.