Mom’s the Word
I feel as if I’ve spent a great deal of time with Francine, my 95 year-old mother lately and it’s all thanks to my son. A few weeks ago I popped across the country for a visit and to host our 5th annual post-Thanksgiving dinner (yes, we’re Canadian) with him and his college pals. Thankfully this year everything went very smoothly (unlike the first year where in Just TypiKel fashion I almost gave everyone food poisoning).
Anyway, over a glass of the most delicious India Pale Ale, he asked me how the book was going. After admitting that it was on hold of late, he pinned me with a look. A “what the hell are you waiting for?”look. One that I might have given him once or 55 times over the last 22 years.
Damn.
I’ve never felt so chastened. Thanks H, you were just what I needed.
Since then, I’ve spent a portion of every weekday writing about the extraordinary changes I underwent back in the 1980’s. Yes, I’m fired up.
What’s the premise of this memoir? How I reluctantly signed on for a 4 month summer stint at my mother’s successful Asian antiques store in Vancouver, knowing nothing about Asian antiques and caring for them even less, and ended up staying ten years. It was nothing short of miraculous.
As my two siblings will attest, our dear mother possesses a myriad of personalities. I had to learn to deal with all of them. To say she’s complicated is putting it mildly …
While some days, especially the first two months where I couldn’t sell a damn thing, were sheer hell, the others were a delight. In addition to Francine, there’s plenty to write about, from the quirky customers, to the six overseas buying trips and the wondrous meeting of my future husband.
Before I get back to it today, I thought I’d share some Francine recent gems. She’s recently moved from her apartment into a nearby assisted living residence and it’s been an adjustment.
“Living here surrounded by old people does something to my psyche. I know I need to get out every day and mingle with all ages. I’m thinking of buying an old truck, one that will protect me and keep me safe if some idiot hits me with his car. What do you think?”
Nevermind that she gave up driving almost ten years ago …
“I feel as if I have one more big trip in me. What about a safari in Kenya?”
Cheers.
Enough about Mom’s the word. I’m curious about you. Who keeps you on track? Which relative knocks you sideways with their startling comments? Better yet, have you tried the astonishingly delicious IPA? If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.
15 Responses
Oh, Francine stories are my favorite!
Um, I don’t know how to tell you this. BUT. I dislike IPA. Too hoppy for me.
Please still be my friend.
It’s the grapefruit sensation that I love about IPAs I think. And yes, we can still be pals – it just means we each get more of what we prefer!
I hear that the dry season in Kenya is late June to October 🙂
Oh you made me grin, Kathy. Thank you.
Oh my, Francine is amazing ! Let me know if you want someone else along on your trip to Kenya, Kelly ! It may take 2 to keep up with her.
As far as the IPA goes, not being a beer drinker , I leave that to my eldest daughter, who is most definitely a fan !!
Ha! Indeed I shall. Can’t you just picture her jostling about in the jitney, asking the driver to please slow down so she could check out the shawls sold by the roadside vendors? And oh my, Jane, are you fond of grapefruit? The IPAs I love have grapefruity hints. SO good. But, yes, perhaps it’s best if I discuss that with your J.
Safari in Kenya – love it! My dad is the one who gives me a comeback sometimes. One time he gave me a list of things to blog about. All would have included something about him 😉
Oh Kenya, that is such a hoot. Your dad should meet my mom. I can just imagine the two of them talking to each other about themselves…
Oh, it is a sober day when our parenting comes back to us from our children, isn’t it Kelly? Glad your son got you back on track. Your mother brings out the issue that would bother me about being in an assisted living facility – no exposure to other generations. She is so insightful. I am learning to like IPA but I prefer a wheat beer. As for a safari, go Francine!
Francine just phoned me to report she “had the best sleep since moving.” That walk she did yesterday to the shops was apparently why. Just imagine how well she’d sleep on safari! Would you care to join us? My son says that their beer is delicious …
I love your mom! I enjoy reading your stories about her. What a fierce lady. I also love IPAs. Yum!
My oldest son keeps me on track. Once, when I was anxious about a decision I was waiting on someone to make, I told him. He said something like:
“Well, you know what my mom would say?”
I thought “uh oh.”
“She would say something like ‘there are things are going to work out the way they’re going to work out, and your worrying about them now won’t change the outcome. So you might just as well relax.'”
I don’t remember being so wise, but whatever. 🙂
Oh that’s a gem of a comment from your son. Good on you. Grinning here over how you don’t remember saying that as it’s just like me. My two have been telling me stuff recently that I’ve apparently said … Perhaps you and I should get together over an IPA or six.
Oh do I adore that woman! She cracks me UP. I’m thinking you both need to pull off a Safari and fast. Now THAT would be a HOOT.
You’ve successfully flown over seas- what a little bit of Africa?
I am SO glad your son gave you the stink eye and you are back into writing again… I can’t wait to read this book of yours! (And btw- I totally get putting it off- I have been stalling on a book that I started over a year ago… blah.)
Is your back all healed up then? Oh, I’m so glad you made it on your trip!
Thanks for your very kind words about Mom. I’ll tell her – she’ll be tickled pink. And thanks for asking about the back – so much better. What is extraordinary is that it took 2 seconds for it to happen and I’m still dealing with residual numbness 4 months later. Silly me – it’s a shame I wasn’t gardening in the front yard as I NEVER would have taken that unfortunate stance in the first place.