Join Now
It's been a tough week across the globe. Share your thoughts in our new 2008 Financial Crisis support group.
I haven't written in quite some time. I've been very busy with work and school. Today however I have been moved to write an entry. A combination of events have occured that set me on this path of thinking - work, a social welfare course, DV in my sister's home, my nephew adjusting to his bi-weekly visitations to what is a 'strange' family to him, my intolerances and my tolerances -- and how I was raised.
Today I remembered an incident when I was likely 8 or 9 and my sister was 2 or 3. She was playing in the back yard and my mom was distracted for a moment and sarah (my sister) was gone. The only clue she left behind was her diaper hanging from the top of the neighbors fence. She had obvioulsy climbed over - she was a kid like that. My mom of course hollers out, looks around the yards - no Sarah. She asks me, "Have you seen your sister?" as I played in the front yard.
I hadn't so my mom said, "I'll go this way, and you go around the block in that direction." I'm old enough to sense her panic. I feel it. So on my way up around the block I see a few neighbors and let them know my sister, who's 2/3, has run away and that I'm looking for her. Being my first community organizing effort, I hadn't realized I was doing it, but I did. I gathered at least four adults, a few teens and a couple kids my age in the matter of a 1/2 block. We walk and called for my sister and when we made it full way around the block, low and behold my mom had already returned with my sister in tow.
What I remember after that is being told that I was embarrassing and why would I bring those people to our house. I was basically scolded for looking for my sister and gathering help. I was then embarrassed myself. I believed I had done something inappropriate.
I haven't thought of that in such a long time. I'm sure if my sister had been farther away and not located in 10 mins or so that my community organizing effort wouldn't have been frowed upon so harshly.
It has occured to me that serious situations aren't always taken as seriously by my family as maybe I think they should be (I'm guilty though too). There is a definate aire of, "That won't happen." or "It's not that bad." until it is THAT bad. Everyone is pretty good at being reactive but not so good at proactive. I sensor myself a lot or make 'light' of behaviors that aren't so 'light' in a lot of people. I'm not the only one, nor is my family as a whole alone in this behavior. There is a whole lot of "I hope not." going on and not enough "I won't have it." We are the family that I hate to watch on Dr. Phil and often say, "Are these people idiots? They are killing me with ignorance!" Yep, that's my family and I'm guilty too.
I'm really peevy and annoyed at this right now.
Comments
I'm trying to make the best and right decision concerning my fall coursework. I feel I am capable of taking a full class load and working full time, depending on the classes but I can't help but wonder if that is a good decision and if the better decision would be to stick to part-time.
I want to be lazy and have someone make this decision for me!
I have a 1/2 day today. I have a f/u appointment with the oral surgeon, thank goodness, because I am still aching terribly.
Happy Monday everyone!
This sounds really dumb but I am finding that I am in L O V E with Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood and Kathy: My Life on the D List.
I'm not a HUGE reality TV fan but I am addicted to these people. I never knew I would fall in love with Tori Spelling! I mean, I am from the 90210 era, and I loved it, but I was never a Tori fan. Today, I am a HUGE Tori fan. This is funny to me and although my life couldn't be any more different from this Tori chick, and if the person she is on her show is the person she is in real life, well, hecks, she could be my BFF. She reminds me of me! (Okay, now that is WIERD!)
The comedian Kathy Griffin, well, I dunno but her show entertains the crap out of me.
Oh, oh, oh. AND I am falling in love with the two Coreys! The train wreck of Haim...I just can't peel away from it!
Does anyone else have this sickness? It is a new sickness for me!
I'm like so fanatic I want to like write them letters and everything! I won't but I've thunk it!
Comments
-
My mom likes Cher- go figure. Sometimes opposites attract even in non-romantic situations. People who have a life or an attitude very different from your own and yet you see one or two things you could adopt to suit your life. My mom won't wear Bob Mackey but I have noticed a few sequens on her new "dress up" sweater.
My friend Billy LOVES those reality cops shows and those court shows.
My weakness is Project Runway- I can't believe the creative stuff they can make with just a sewing machine and like their butt hairs or something.
It's just a bit of vicarious living.
Hey stranger! Good to hear from you again and sorry you are having a difficult day. I'm a big fan of the belief that there is no such thing as overreacting, as long as your gut is instructing to action.
rubeli
Naked toddler on the loose and Mom is likely embarrassed lest any adult find your sis and assume Mom is not being on top of her situation. Of course as a kid (and a marvelously proactive one!)you wouldn't really be thinking along the lines of paternal faux pas, you'd be thinking (very sensibly) about a lost child- you were prioritizing quite well actually because milk cartons are full of lost children. Of course you'd hope to be praised for your good concern and quick thinking- and you should be! You would naturally find the scolding, done out of inadequacy embarrassment, difficult to understand. As an adult, if you think about it that way, you might find some rationale for that negative response your mom gave.
Wendyhi