JOURNAL ARCHIVES BIOGRAPHY LINKS PHOTOGRAPHY POETRY
|
|
An exciting weekend has just passed us by. Sunday morning the phone rang and the "Older Daughter's" voice plucked us out of our routine. Apparently the time had arrived to buy a dress for the mother-of-the-bride. That is I. My first reaction was to resist. My second sober thought was that it would be a good idea to get this over with. I share a deep empathy with men who call tuxedos monkey suits. Several hours later "Older Daughter" arrived ready to sweep me off my feet, into a car, and off to the mall. Smiling bravely I acquiesced and gave her my full cooperation. After finding a parking place at the mall, we proceeded to search for retail outlets offering formal wear for sale. Luckily, one such establishment was located near the entrance and therefore near the exit. We browsed the racks, chose several likely candidates, and proceeded to the fitting room. I tried on dresses long and short, and suits. Most of these outfits were acceptable but only one was pleasing. We decided not to purchase the first pleasing dress. We wandered from store to store searching on the racks for other pleasing choices. We found none. Rather than prolong my agony by holding out for a more acceptable outfit, we hurried back to the first store we had entered. There I sacrificed my credit card to the family peace and my daughter's dream. Meanwhile, back at the house "The Teenager" had been impatiently waiting for our return. Since her sister left home to make her way in the world, "The Teenager" has coveted "Older Daughter's" time and attention. Thus our absence was keenly felt and duly noted. "Older Daughter" is aware of how much she is missed and with this in mind she invited "The Teenager" and myself out for dinner. The girls laughed and giggled and teased one another. We had a lot of fun and it was wonderful to watch "The Teenager" step tentatively towards a more adult-like role in her relationship with her sister. Childhood is more easily left behind when one has a foot firmly placed in the adult world. The stepping stones are well traveled by those who come before us. We each in our time need turn and extend a welcoming hand to encourage those who come behind us. Thus the linking of hands across the generations forms a circle of life. While we three girls were out to having fun, Attila toiled till dark. He arrived home tired and satisfied with his day's work. "Older Daughter" had left long before Attila's return. To his surprise a bouquet of beribboned flowers and a card bearing his name sat on the kitchen table. In this way "Older Daughter" has asked that Attila escort her down the aisle as she enters a new phase of her life. In his quiet way Attila will both embrace and release her. Attila does not believe in tradition for tradition's sake. However, I do believe that his eyes misted when he read that little note pinned to the flowers. |
RECIPES :: Cast Worldly Distractions  Attila's Flowers By the Easy Chair The Vision of Emma Blau by Ursula Hegi 2000 Airwaves Aerial Boundaries by Michael Hedges On the Screen Contact starring Jodie Foster Weather 6:37 PM DST Temp: 12` C Humidity: 38% Wind: S 11 mph Barometric:102.6 kPa (-) Sunrise 6:26 AM DST Sunset 8:17 PM DST |
Page by Page: A Woman's Journal
|
