The phone rings. Jess says, hoarsely: “Momma?” = “Mom, something’s wrong.”
Mom: “What’s the matter, honey?” = “Do I need to bring over a gun or a box of Kleenex and some ice cream?”
Jess: “I’ve been really sick since yesterday. I called the doctor but when I described my symptoms, they said I should go to the emergency room. Where do I go?” = “I’m really scared and I don’t want to go.”
“Do you want me to take you?” = “I’m putting on my shoes and grabbing my keys.”
“No, my friend Swank is taking me.” = “I can do this on my own.”
“Is he there already?” = “Where ever he is, I can get to your place faster.”
“He’s on his way.”
“Do you need me to come along and hold your hand?” = “I need to come along and hold your hand.”
“No, I’ll be ok. I’ll call you as soon as they tell me something.” = “I can do this, mom.”
“OK, then just call me if you need me.” = “Don’t you realize you need me?”
Sigh. Here I wait.
The nurse and mom parts of me say “go anyway”, even if she doesn’t say it, she needs you. If she is aggravated by you showing up, she’ll get over it. ~April
On the other hand, as the parent of grown children, if you help when they ask you not to, they feel you are telling them that you don’t trust them to handle it on their own. It’s hard to wait.
So? How is she? How are you? We are waiting with baited breath!
I can SOOOOOO relate as a mom of an 18-year old. Nicely done.