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| Source: Boston Discovery Guide |
Ducklings crossing the
road in Boston was written into an old children’s book: Make Way for Ducklings. But this post is a reverse, different
setting, and with people.
Picture this: a crosswalk two blocks away from DisneyLand (happiest
place on Earth!) and a family of parents and four offspring. Happiness was evident. The parents were in the back, laughing and
enjoying mild sunshine in Anaheim. The
youngest child (8 yrs.?) pranced in excitement: Oh-boy-oh-boy-oh-boy….
The next two were sisters
(10-12 yrs?) who were giggling and whispering, but it was not clear at whom
their giggles were aimed.
Then at the front of the
crosswalk family was the source of giggles and whispers: The 17 yr. old (maybe 16 yrs.) was walking a
good six feet ahead of her rag-tag family.
Her clenched jaw, clenched fists, and tight face said so much. Her thoughts:
OMG…I can’t believe those are my family. I mean, like, look at them! Like, you know, dressing like they are, OMG,
TOURISTS!
Just one look at her and
surely everyone could see what she wanted to wear: high-very high-heeled sandals, straps around
the ankles; short, very short, and very tight red shorts (good grief!); and,
then a tee-shirt that matched the rest of the family’s shirts. Her thoughts:
OMG! A TEE-SHIRT?
A tee-shirt? Like, you know,
anyone would ever ever wear “I’m from Idaho!”
What was wrong with the sick hot top Belinda and I found on-line? Sassy spaghetti straps—what’s wrong with
that?? And the mid-riff? Everyone
I know wears mid-riffs! The
sequins? So what if they spelled out: PUSSY CAT . I
love cats, everyone knows that! Just
wait, Mom, you turn your back one second and I am gone. Away from you hicks.
What was Mom thinking:
Yeah, Missy…you may think
you can escape, but I know you. And, why do you think I let you wear those
ridiculous sandals? To look good? No, to hobble you while you think you look
hot. The red shorts? Sunburn always reminds that pride goeth
before sitting.
Quack. Quack. Quack.
Moms a sharp one.
ReplyDeleteWhich is a good thing.
Deletehaha what's for our own good we don't always appreciate
ReplyDeleteThose teen years are such misery, for all.
DeleteMomma knows best
ReplyDeleteAlways, always, always
DeleteGood thinking, mom. Besides, why do you have kids but to embarrass them in public?
ReplyDeleteExactly. I remember going somewhere with my parents and walking about 20 feet behind them. Such hicks, I thought.
DeleteAh, yes. The wisdom of mothers. And, we are wise.
ReplyDeleteWe are wise, but our children do not realize that until they hit their mid-20s or so.
DeleteOh the pain of those shoes. Which I too wore.
ReplyDeleteLove that sculpture. And each year it is enacted close to our war memorial and peak hour traffic waits as the family makes their way to the lake. Which is wonderful.
Love that! It was a sweet book, and a reminder that life is sacred.
DeleteHa! Outsmarted by mum. It will still be several years before she enjoys family outings again anyway. 17 year olds can be so touchy and think they are so independent.
ReplyDeleteIt will be years, maybe until she is 25 or so. By then she will realize how much she is loved. The music she thought was so edgy will be playing on Golden Oldies, the clothing younger women are wearing are stupid and can't be worn to work. She'll learn alot.
Delete