Sink or Swim
From September 1, 2012
This is the unabridged version of the story that started it all. My first Rude Awakening Parental Moment, not the first time I experienced a rude awakening, just the first time I documented it.
It happened when Azul and I were taking “parent/child” swimming classes at UNM. We took this class every Saturday morning for five weeks, which meant we had to get dressed in the women’s locker room after class so we could run errands that day. Never a fan of locker rooms, they have always created an uncomfortable feeling for me. But I’m an adult now with a child, so I can be mature about it, right? It can’t be like middle school where everyone is making fun of you, so just get over it!
Well, following our last class, I was toweling myself off as quickly as possible and reminding Azul to keep his eyes to himself. “Mommy, that little boy is getting dressed too,” Azul noticed. “Don’t worry about him, just worry about your own business. I’m almost done and then we’ll get you dressed,” I said in a hurried tone, trying to get dressed while still damp.
There was one other mom from our class with her son getting dressed too. With both of us with our backs to each other, the other little boy said to his mom, “Mommy, your underwear is much longer than hers.” Standing there in my thong underwear and shirt, I kept repeating to myself in my head, “don’t laugh, don’t laugh, don’t laugh.” And it took everything I had not to turn around and look at her granny panties. I don’t ever want to look her in the eyes again. Oh, I’m so glad swim class is over.
Now That’s Sick!
It happens to all of us and now was my turn, I picked up a bug and I am SICK. Not sure if I got it from the gym, lots of people and lots of germs, or at the kid’s birthday party we went to this weekend, lots of kids and lots of germs, none the less I am down. The moment I started to feel that soreness in my throat I was ready to be proactive, with excessive amounts of Vitamin C, spraying Zicam in my mouth, and rest. My family left for the day so I could sleep. Whew! I needed that.
I’m not sure if my low immune system is affecting my emotions, but Azul has said some of the sweetest things to me in my weakened state. He kisses my hand, because he doesn’t want to get too close to me, and every time he does, he asks, “How are you feeling?” and then runs away as fast as he can. Awww…
At one point, he said, “Mommy, if cold wipes out hot, I know what you need!” And he returned to my makeshift wellness center (okay, it’s just my bedroom) with the largest frozen block ice we have (you know, the blue plastic blocks that fit in between your cans to keep them cold in your cooler). Well, now it’s mine, to use for my fever. Thanks! That was some good thinking.
I did venture out to the couch for a few hours. I was just tired of laying in my fever-drenched bed, and Azul told me, “I wish you weren’t sick,” in the sweetest, most empathetic voice you could ever hear. Followed by, “I’m bored and have no one to play with!” Oh, he is so worried about me.
The next morning on his way out to school, he woke me up and again expressed his concern: “Mommy, when you feel better, get up and eat something.” My blurry-eyed reply, “Okay, thank you, my sweet love.” I rolled over in bed. That was sweet, these are the moments that make parenting worthwhile. Now, where is the NyQuil.
Another day of rest for the weary, and that evening when Azul got home, he ran in and asked me, “Are you feeling gooder?” I responded, “Yes, I am feeling better, thanks for asking.” Then he said, “I’m glad you’re feeling gooder.” Yeah it’s worth it!
Lit
What is the “common courtesy” when it comes to Christmas lights? Is there such a thing? And if there isn’t, should there be?
Well, this is the beautiful, full of Christmas spirit blue glow I have had the pleasure of experiencing through my bedroom windows since late November, from about five in the evening till about seven in the morning, and still am! I love holiday lights and love the spirit that accompanies Christmas. But, there has to be a point where it ends, where you are able to say good bye, move on and continue with your new year.
My bedroom is in the back of the house and I will add that this beautiful view of my neighbor’s house is the side and back side of the house, not the front, street side that we all decorate and appreciate when we drive by. What is the purpose of lighting up the back of your house, other than to irritate your neighbors who stare in the middle of the night at the light shining through their window and get bitter and angry because that light is keeping them awake?
I understand that some people, for reasons beyond me, leave their lights up all year, but for the love of the Baby Jesus’ birth, if you leave them up, please don’t leave them on!
Carmelina Hart 