A WARRENTED TRIBUTE TO A PATIENT MOTHER


I've got to hand it to my mother, she is patient.  I can remember the times in High School and College (probably even earlier) when I would come barreling into the room without an ounce of consideration to what my mother may have been doing, eager to read her one of my essays.  She was always so supportive and ready to listen.  Even now I call her to read her things I've been working on.  Of course now I at least have the courtesy to ask if she has a moment.

My daughters are carrying on the tradition, however I am ashamed to admit there are times I'm not in the mood to listen.  I know, I know it's shocking!  A writer who doesn't want to listen to her own children's stories!  Well as a writer I find it difficult to listen without critiquing and I'm gathering from my offspring they are not always looking for my editorial input.  When I read to my mother I recall her smiling a lot and telling me how wonderful it was, though I'm sure she asked a few questions, and perhaps gave a little input, on the whole I believe she just praised me.  And so I am trying to find the delicate balance between the desire to re-write my children's stories/essays, giving them constructive criticism, and just being supportive.

At one point my daughter rolled her eyes in frustration and said, "Mom, it's not like I'm in college!"  So maybe I expect too much, or maybe not enough...who knows?

What I do know is I am grateful for my mothers support over these many years...in fact I'm going to call her and thank her...and read her a query letter I just wrote to see what she thinks!