Monday 15 February 2010

Reality Check


Sue has written a thought-provoking post
about the problem of self-editing.

Just in case you thought
that my life was all about
china and cupcakes
here is a story
to redress the balance:


Yesterday I saw a young man at a bus stop
who looked just like MasterM
and, for a moment, I thought that it was him
but then I remembered that
MasterM had just emailed to let us know
that he was wine-tasting in Stellenbosch.

I concentrated very very hard
on the hot-pink primula flowers
which I had just bought
and, after a while,
I stopped crying.

MasterM is having a wonderful time
but I am his mother
and I miss him.

22 comments:

  1. Ah yes, the tyranny of distance.

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  2. I have never had that happen, but I can feel the sting just thinking about it. How long until you see MasterM?

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  3. Oh, why must life be such a stinker? Sending you cyber hugs of understanding. And the flowers are beautiful.

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  4. Aaaah. You brought a lump to my throat. I hope you get to wrap your arms around him again very very soon.

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  5. If only there was a handbook handed out when you had them.................

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  6. Oh Alice. Sending you hugs too. And thank for the link to Sue. She says it all very well. K x

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  7. Everyone else has already said it Alice... but I'm sending huge hugs too.

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  8. Oh Alice - I do so feel for you - that horrible sinking realisation when you realise it's not the person you thought it was is no less severe whether the separation is permanent or temporary - nothing anyone can say can lessen your grieving, for that is what it is - just sending you (((hugs))) instead

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  9. "the cure for everything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea" (I. Dinesen)

    I know it won't make you feel any closer to him... but, well, I bet he misses you too. And I'm someone who's been living away from her mum for 20 years now... it doesn't go away.

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  10. Oh dear!
    I'm putting my arm around you.

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  11. How beautifully you describe this same thing that I have experienced too... my eldest son is in Australia and before that he was in New York... I miss him badly and have a couple of times 'seen' him around town... when my younger son put on his jacket once to see if it was worth pinching I felt like he was in the room... so strange, quite heartbreaking. Not that we don't want them to be having a wonderful time, of course...it' just like you say, we are their mothers.

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  12. Oh Alice. Letting go just doesn't get any easier.

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  13. I often wonder what I will do the day my only child will leave home. I like to think I'll be the strong, cool mom, helping him out the door.
    Now I doubt it.
    You made me think, hard.
    Paola

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  14. There is a multitude of mothers who understand your sorrow.

    I cry at the mere thought of my children being away the reality must be ten times worse.

    Thank you for sharing.

    Jo

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  15. Oh. Dear.
    This makes me appreciate my son's presence all the more.

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  16. Oh Alice! That really tugs at the heartstrings and you know why. Huge hugs. Bobby x

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  17. Oh. Alice.

    If it would help, I could send you a Latte to smear your brand new Chanel lipstick all over the mirror.

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  18. Oh dear. Hugs to you... I think that you and Mr M need to consider booking tickets to SA sometime soon....

    N.

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  19. Oh, Alice. You've made me cry too.

    I left the Smalls alone with their grandparents overnight for the first time last night - at least they think I did. In reality when it came to it I simplay couldn't do it so I sneaked back after they were asleep and made sure they didn't find me asleep in my bed this morning. They were, of course, fine.

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