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listen  jim guthrie read  the little prince laugh  ryan belleville
random © design and text by near-sighted 2001-2002 |
I am floored. Never in my 26 years of conversing with my parents have I ever gotten any advice relating to things other than that of the financial sort. We keep our distance from emotional topics. Emotions live on a planet far, far away. Our planet involves jobs, money and buying new things. "Your father really liked the other boy," she adds. I am choking at this point. It is beyond comprehension that behind that steel exterior, my parents actually engage in conversation about my relationships. This is scary and exhilarating at the same time. "I liked the other boy too, mom," I add to the conversation, more out of a lack of things to say than anything else. I am shocked that I say this. To my mother. Sometimes we expect too much. We want to know we're loved. We want people to comment on our stories, our perspectives... We want to hear each other say, "Yes! That's exactly what I was thinking!" or "No, I don't understand your point of view." We just want feedback all the time. Are we doing the right thing? Do you respect what I'm doing? Essentially, we just want to know that someone is listening. That someone cares. And sometimes the only indication of that is a straightforward response. And all too often, these responses are just shoved under the bed for a later date. And all too often, we assume that when no one talks, that people don't care. And what you don't realize is that every moment you are in touch with someone, they are creating an impression of you, gathering information and determining opinions to help you in your future. And it's those suprising moments like these that make me realize that I don't have to be on show all the time. I don't have to prove anything to anyone. Because there are a million people who are observing, who are caring, and who will say just the right thing at the very right time. Thanks mom.
And I feel fine....... - 2004-02-23 |