Tumbled Words

And so, Mom, how goes it up there? Is it what you expected? I assume you are still looking down on us and I figured our traveling across country twice would have gotten your attention, you so wanted to travel more. I tried to get a condo on the beach since I know that was your dream - and is one of mine, too, but that will have to wait, too many condo associations are going under, people are paying their mortgages if they can and not their association fees.

I know at times it probably seems to you I don’t miss you, but hey, I hear your words so often it is almost like you are here - and yeah, I know how proud you are of your grandsons. And I know you probably had something to say to the “powers that be” about not being around to see your great granddaughter. I bet he is still having second thoughts about that decision - assuming he decided - you know you and I don’t see eye to eye on that one.

So, do they have golf up there for you and dad - or have you chosen a new hobby? Or did y’all just revert back to Scrabble and Rummy? I’m sure you and Dad had catching up to do since he died so much before you. I bet you had something to say about that, too, but then it was amazing to see you grow into your new role of a woman on her own, learning to survive… Good lesson for those observing - we can do it, not that we have to like it. But I am NOT dealing with Medicare, Medicaid, and all that stuff — you had patience for it, I don’t. So, pull some strings, OK?

One more question. Can I assume you are still braver than me? I mean, I have caught up a bit! But, I’m not wielding a golf club to protect someone doing laundry in a backyard at the end of a dead end road that bordered the woods when a known rapist is hiding in the area! I would have told your brother to forget the laundry getting done - do it himself if he wanted it done. But I understand that his employee didn’t feel she had that option and you were just protecting her…. That was in the 1950’s though, Mom, but you know, nothing’s changed in that respect, still a lot of woman would have felt obligated… a shame…

But it did make a great visual, your little five feet with that golf club way out there by the clothesline watching the woods around y’all so she could get the laundry hung up. Of course, back then I was too scared to appreciate the irony of it. I was mad at you, too. I thought it was stupid to go out there just to hang up laundry… and guess what, I still do, though I admire you for helping her!!

Gotta go, I’ll write more — just, you know I get lost in reading and my poetry — and in bugging Leon. Say hi to Dad. Tell him I’m still glad I didn’t become an accountant — but I wish I had taken the computer programming courses and stuff. I love html and css, what little I’ve played with. With his IQ and knack for detail, I bet he would have loved it… born a century too soon, I suppose.

And yeah, I’m gonna post that picture of you in your bathing suit from before I was born. You’ll get over it! Or maybe the one at the pool where your tongue is stuck out… Or did I post that one already? I want to post one of Daddy, too, but I did the one of him on the ferry. OK, just like on the phone, I still can’t hang up.

Later!

Love,

Marcia

PS, Happy Birthday tomorrow! 87 earth years you would have been. You and Dad have fun up there. By the way, any more hole in ones on the golf course? And if you run into Leon’s mom, say hello. Tell her if she hasn’t looked down lately, she might want to, “he’s done her proud.” Oh, and tell her I have not laughed at him at a hair salon any more since that day… but then he hasn’t had to get another perm for a stage play role. And don’t tell her I still laugh at the thought! She didn’t have to threaten to kick me out of her shop though…. grin.

Tags: , birthdays, letter, Mom

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