Family
We called her Gog
Gnocchi, bow-tie pasta, small lollipops, butterscotch treats and strawberry candies, are what come to mind when I think about her. A house that at the time seemed larger then life. A small toy room with outdated toys, hi-ho-a-cherrio, pick-up-stix, and a small train that was used to roll around the hallways.
By abby ashton5 years ago in Confessions
A song for Piette
There was a crystal clear moment when Piette and I realised that we were not two souls sharing the same body. The differences were readily apparent - blood poured from my eyes while tears bled from hers, my hands shook while hers gesticulated bladely, she whirled in anger with her spinning claws while I huddled on the floor trying to hold my face together. Actually, the cuts were superficial, as was her fury, and both healed relatively quickly. She hadn’t moved - the knife had sprung in to her hand from the bench.
By The Twilight Zane5 years ago in Confessions
"Well, Actually..."
My adult son is smart, ethical, and socially aware. I’m incredibly proud to have raised a human whose principles cause him to speak up, and to actively support social causes that promote peace and justice. He is extremely comfortable challenging people when their comments could be interpreted as racist, homophobic, or otherwise offensive. At least, he seems to have no trouble telling me when my words are questionable. “Well, that’s a very middle-age white woman thing to say,” he told me recently. I’m never quite certain if he is teasing me, or actually concerned about statements that I have made. I think maybe it’s a little of both. For the most part, even though he is often quick to react, I appreciate his passion and ability to challenge me to consider my own words, and behaviors.
By Allison Rice5 years ago in Confessions
Musings on being Italian
Imagine bearing a last name that should belong to a small yappy dog. Pepe: It’s cute for a Chihuahua, but not ideal for a young girl who at the start of every new class, was getting ready to slide under the desk on the first day of school as the teacher, a combination of confused and embarrassed, asked: “Is Cathy Pep—?, err, — Peep?, ah,—Pee-Pee, present?” Even now Spell Check humiliates me by suggesting: Peep, Pipe, Pope, and Peet.
By Cathy Pepe5 years ago in Confessions
The 1980 Porch
People say that memories come back more easily with scents and sounds, than any other senses. I believe that this must be true. Sugar cookies, baking bread, cigar smoke...there are so many. Sometimes as I age, I realize that I have forgotten memories that have been jogged from time to time from a sudden scent in the air or a familiar sound. I cringe when I think of what my children or grandchildren will remember once I'm gone. I hope it isn't burnt cookies or laundry detergent.
By Diana Smith5 years ago in Confessions
Marigold, Made to Last
Her strawberry blonde curls bouncing, Marigold ran into the house in a rush and scurried off to her bedroom to hide away from all the hurt this world had to offer. She flounced herself onto the bed, and buried her head into the pillow, forlorn, her face filling with tears so quickly that she couldn't even see her surroundings. Maybe it was better that way - the bullies outside her house window didn't deserve her attention, but they made her cry everyday, anyways. But if she couldn't see him - that terrible kid Johnny Gaines, with the blonde curly half afro, the flashy smile, his populace of a following and bullying behavior towards his peers - that's what made his looks and charm not matter, on the reflection of the merit of his heart and character towards others - let alone experiencing it first hand at school.
By Kris Loritsch5 years ago in Confessions
I’m Not The A**hole, It’s You
I know I’m being an asshole. I hate the word bitch since it singles out a certain sect of individuals. However, everyone is an asshole at some point, whether they know it or not. It’s a mood some days, a choice on others. I see it all the time. I’m surrounded by assholes, including myself. And that’s what sucks, when I know I’ve stepped over the line and joined the club.
By Amy J. Markstahler5 years ago in Confessions
When They Asked Me, I Lied
Three girls stand in the front row at my grandfather’s funeral. Three cousins, arms linked as if they’re playing that old game Red Rover, as if at any moment someone might barrel into them to tear them apart. Everyone present knows that someone already has; at least, he tried.
By Shea Keating5 years ago in Confessions
The One Who Carries You
The journey of raising children seems fairly easy yet this particular journey has many twists and turns. Yes children are a great blessing that many mothers' love very deeply although there will be times when you are terrified of them getting hurt in any way. There will also be the most perfect moments in your life. Most mothers will do pretty much anything to make sure they do their best to teach their children right from wrong not realizing as they grow they are silently observing what mom is doing! They don't know until they are older that you are doing it for them. Here comes those words every parent hears "I hate you." These are words that will cut you to core like a knife, piercing pain in your soul leaving you wondering why does my child hate me, often times in tears. Perhaps this is where the saying "hindsight is 20/20" came from, I certainly do not know. You will make your child apologize and you will find yourself saying you are sincerely sorry to your child too. Of course we all need a break from our children just as they will need a break from us. Is this easy? I say no it is not due the fact that in a mothers' eyes they will always be your babies. Does your adult child like hearing this? Of course not! They have been raised and cared for. They take pieces of your heart as they walk out of your home for the first, second, and sometimes three or more times in their lives. You see every child is different and it becomes more defined when and why they need mom. Believe me when I say I am living this with my children and to this day I cry for my mom. I'm not sure how most people feel about their mom yet I can tell you that I love and miss mine every day. Maybe it has to do with the way I was raised, not spoiled with material things although there was plenty of love for everyone which of course is how chose I to raise mine. You could call it tough love which is necessary depending on the circumstances at the time and this tough love will usually be harder on you than your child. Hopefully they will thank you later while you patiently pray they do. Remember children do not come with instructions. Sharing advice with other parents is very helpful but do not expect it to work on your child just because it works for another child. This is not always the case. You will get frustrated at times, I personally had to excuse myself to go outside and cry my eyes out while taking deep breaths and counting very slowly to ten. Then I dried my those tears and went right back in there. Much to my surprise they were behaving by then! This is a good thing though, not lack of love so hold your tongue and smile. This is a very precious time so enjoy it and take as many photos as possible. No you are not the worst parent in the world nor are you perfect. This is what most people call being human, so do your best and do not beat yourself up when you feel like the worst mom out there. Beside all of this, never be afraid to ask a question. How are you going to know if you do not ask? This can be tricky depending on the question therefore I went to ask single moms, single dads and couples finding that multiple answers gives you a whole lot more to work with. Do not be shocked when they ask you some questions of their own after you have asked yours. I guess we all have some questions about raising children. At first books helped right after they were born then I found them useless. Textbooks do not apply to everything. Living and learning and yes making mistakes is all part of this beautiful, tearfully happy, exciting and terrifying journey. Please don't misunderstand me on all of this, I am simply writing about what some, though not all, parents and children go through. When you read this I am hoping you all will be able to relate to others just a little better about how life really is with children. Some of you may not and that is okay. I pray you may have had it a little easier than some of us. Meanwhile back to being caught in between what happens when they are all raised and have left your home, you want them to be able to make it without you. At the same time you may be wondering what they are going through and if they completely forgot about you. Yes, this hurts me due to fact that I have told them they can talk to me about anything and it will not change my love for them no matter what it concerns. Sometimes they do and other times I get "What Mother?" They don't realize that I am clueless about what has happened. Why? Because they haven't been talking to me and my brain is trying to process what they are saying. I am learning as they are now adults they do not want Mom knowing their business. I know this because some of my nieces and nephews talk to me instead of their Mom. This leaves me baffled and not knowing what to do. So guess what, I talk to my Mom. This is not good for her and I need to stop. I am currently working on this one due to fact that there is nothing she can do just like me. I need to get it through my head that they are grown and I honestly cannot make their choices for them even though they still ask for favors! I would be so nice to get a random call saying "I love you, Mom" instead of a text. Now in all honesty these are the times when I would sincerely love to disable their phones. I am human just like everyone else so laugh, cry or whatever you choose to do. This is how I feel. Yes I have sent a text to my mom saying "I love you." Okay, I know this makes me a hypocrite, Lord help me! For some reason me being single and my mom being married makes me think this is different. That is where I wrong in my way of thinking! I admit to this with no problem at all. All of you need to be aware that I am her only child who lives to0 far away to able to go visit very often. Yes, I feel stuck between a rock and very hard place. My children, on the other hand, live in the same town as I do. What do I have to do to get them to spend some of their time with me? Beg? I tried begging and it didn't work. May I reminisce with you briefly? Thank you! I was not a perfect child myself. No surprise there. I was told not to leave my friends' home while her mom was at work so we snuck out and went skating. Our parents found out, what were we thinking, and I was in big trouble. I can feel the sting from those salt cedar switches to this day! I also ran away one night to meet my boyfriend and here we were walking side by side down the street when the the police drove up to us and said get in the car. During the ride I noticed we were not headed toward my house they were taking us to his house! I started thinking way too much then starting crying before we arrived. Upon arrival I was petrified to see both of my parents and my boyfriends mom waiting outside. I have never in my life heard a young man get chewed out, in a different language, that bad. I do not even remember how long I was grounded. Let's not forget almost giving my dad a heart attack! This was my idea not my boyfriends and I felt terrible! Prior to meeting up with my boyfriend I had stopped by his friends house and asked him to call my boyfriend to meet me. Shocked? I was too afterword. I know now that my boyfriends mom was speaking in spanish. Learned something on that on that little disaster with my boyfriend. I appreciate everyone of you that did not mind reminiscing with me. Thanks. Now back to more current events, being a single mom. By the way I just got off of the phone with my mom. Yes, I took a quick break from typing to call my mom and she is trying a new recipe. She said she will send it to me, I love mom so much. Now it is time to let my mom know, once again, that I am very sorry for what I put her through. How blessed I am that God chose her to raise me. Thank you Mom for putting up with me. Love you always, Your Daughter
By Melissa Boggess5 years ago in Confessions
