“his mother could be hard to live with, like carrying something heavy all day. A weight you don’t notice until you set it down.” Tells us so much about their relationship, and then watching him try to find the language to something he shouldn’t have to name at 12 is heartbreaking.
Yes! I’ve certainly been thinking about this a lot as my own kids become more independent—my shortcomings, their needs, where they’ll feel supported/not. I’d hope never to get to this point but it’s an interesting thought experiment.
I was eight when I first took a good hard look at my life, at my step father, in particular, and said to myself, "I am never going to be like him. I am never going to live like this." And I made sure that I didn't. I had a great life!
George wants answers from Kathryn, but she doesn't have any as evidenced by the many relocations. She is still searching. For George, the answer is finding the treasure, but Kathryn doesn't get it. Gripping storytelling, J. Where do we go from here? Phoenix? :)
Thanks KC. Yes, what does a parent do when they don’t have the answers? Admit their shortcomings?Run? Hide? As a parent, I wonder about such things, too. And, sometimes the answer is…
This is such an interesting story- lots of heart and emotion running around.
Thanks Keith! Just getting warmed up.
“his mother could be hard to live with, like carrying something heavy all day. A weight you don’t notice until you set it down.” Tells us so much about their relationship, and then watching him try to find the language to something he shouldn’t have to name at 12 is heartbreaking.
Yes! I’ve certainly been thinking about this a lot as my own kids become more independent—my shortcomings, their needs, where they’ll feel supported/not. I’d hope never to get to this point but it’s an interesting thought experiment.
Wow Wow Wow!
"..his mother could be hard to live with, like carrying something heavy all day. A weight you don’t notice until you set it down."
"It feels like she’s putting a paper suit on him, like a cutout of a doll in some kid's craft book.."
"... it's the same carpet, the same patterns, just in different rooms."
Poor George has reached a critical mass of frustration and despair. I sympathize with him. I was him. Great story telling, J.
Critical mass indeed! George is figuring out his voice, his words to understand the moment he’s in, at twelve. It took me longer. When did you?
I was eight when I first took a good hard look at my life, at my step father, in particular, and said to myself, "I am never going to be like him. I am never going to live like this." And I made sure that I didn't. I had a great life!
George wants answers from Kathryn, but she doesn't have any as evidenced by the many relocations. She is still searching. For George, the answer is finding the treasure, but Kathryn doesn't get it. Gripping storytelling, J. Where do we go from here? Phoenix? :)
Thanks KC. Yes, what does a parent do when they don’t have the answers? Admit their shortcomings?Run? Hide? As a parent, I wonder about such things, too. And, sometimes the answer is…