It was Sunday afternoon, and my youngest son and I were getting in the car. He had asked me to give him a ride to his friend’s house.
Generally speaking, my sons are mumblers. All three of them. They don’t say a lot, so when they DO have something to say, it’s worth listening to. They don’t just talk to be talking. They don’t chat. Their words are deliberate, concise, mission-oriented words. Straight to the point, and cut it off once the point is made. Move on.
Since giving birth to three sons, I’ve long since forgotten what it’s like to engage in idle chatter, drama and loads of details that is typical of daughters, sisters, girlfriends.
My oldest son has evolved in the last couple of years and has more to say now than ever before in his life. Suddenly he is far more philosophical, sharing his opinions, asking questions, engaging in subjects of debate. It must be that stage in his life. Maturity. He’s definitely making up for lost time since his younger days.
My youngest son, probably because of the stage in HIS life, the onset of puberty, has the least to say of all. And most everything I have to say earns an exaggerated eye roll, a head shake, or both – or a deliberate filtering, ignoring everything I have to say. Eye contact? Rare. It's an invasion of space and privacy. I get it. He’s finding himself at this time in his life, and moms can be more of a hindrance to that than anything. I’ve learned to keep to myself and stay out of his way as much as possible. Just leave him alone. Stifle it, Mom. Keeps life pleasant.
As we were getting in the car, he opened the passenger door and reached down to move a back issue of More Magazine that had been lying in the seat. He paused for a split second before turning to toss it in the back seat, one of the subject titles on the cover having apparently caught his eye. A short conversation ensued as we began fastening our seat belts:
C: What’s so important about HER?
MOM: Important? About who?
C: What’s so great about her? It says: “Looking Fabulous At 40." (referring to the picture of the model/celebrity on the front cover) She’s not so great. You’re in your 50’s and you look a lot better than she does.”
(Short pause)
MOM: “Wow.... (another pause)....Thanks, “ she exclaimed in total shock and amazement, a hint of a smug surfacing on her lips.
Woohoo!
And not another word was said the rest of the trip.
And that’s all he had to say about THAT.
1 comment:
He is the sweetest boy! He knows what's what I have to say.
Post a Comment