Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Conversation with Abs

I hope everyone voted today.

Like I said on fb "Gunner has spent years away from us to make sure that other people could vote in their own countries, why wouldn't I take the time to vote in my country where I am safe?"

I took Junior with me to vote.  We stood in line while he whined "I don't want to go boating".  When he saw the voting booths though, he was hooked.  He asked for a ballot, so one of the workers gave him a piece of paper and he went to town.


He was making a "boating map".  To think that Tricare won't pay for speech for him.

Ummm...yes, that would be a pullup on the kiddo.  Don't judge!

Anyway, on the way home from Interactive Metrenome tonight we were listening to talk radio for election coverage.  (Sidenote, it was like my dad was in the car with me as Abs was whooping and hollering as they gave results.)

Then they broke in with some other news, and they started talking about a study related to men and women and depression.  Basically the results said that women are more depressed than men.

Abs:  They act like that is surprising.
Me who had been half listening:  What's surprising?
Abs:  That women are more depressed than women.
Me:  Why is that?
Abs:  They should be, they do more.
Me:  What do you mean do more? Daddy does a lot.
Abs:  Well they have to stay home and take care of the house and kids.  Let's be honest mommy, you do a lot of work.
Me:  You say it like it's a bad thing.
Abs:  Not bad at all, I think of it like we are back in the olden days.
Me:  Well times have changed, and lots of people work, and I think that they are talking about women in general, not stay at home moms.
Abs:  Well I'm just saying that I'd be depressed if I stayed home and had kids like you.

Great.

I questioned her more, and she admitted that she felt bad that I spent so much time taking her to appointments.  She told me "I'm glad you do it and all, but I wish you didn't have to and I was normal".

My heart broke.  We had a long talk on the way home (heck, it's a 40 minute drive), while she and her brother slurped down milkshakes.  We got home and I tucked her into bed and she told me "I'm lucky".

Then I hugged her, kissed her, and turned out the light.

Then I put up the three baby gates.  Normal is all relative.  I'll keep my normal.

10 comments:

Amber said...

Wow, my heart broke a little too. Who's to say what's normal? You got kids that love and respect you and unfortunately for some that isn't normal.

Bless her little heart.

Anonymous said...

That is beautiful and heartbreaking. You're lucky to have such great kids and they are lucky to have such a wonderful mom.

Life may not always be easy for you, but you are blessed in so many ways. :)

DB said...

Then I put up three baby gates. Hilarious! But seriously, sounds like y'all had a nice chat on the way home. It will all work out for her and she'll be stronger for it. And so will you.

McMGrad89 said...

You will definitely have to save this for reading when you want to pull your hair out over her and realize she does know she is not "ordinary." Teach her that word. Tell her that normal is boring. It's ordinary. When you are at that point, read this again and realize that she loves you and appreciates all you do for her even when she is covered in tar or black sharpie.

A Journey of Memories said...

"Then I hugged her, kissed her, and turned out the light.

Then I put up the three baby gates. Normal is all relative. I'll keep my normal."

LMAO...This last part just struck me as hilarious. (I am sure it is not)...but what a great conversation with your daughter...and YEP...up goes the baby gates. LOL. God love you.

Ellen said...

Aw, that Abs. That breaks my heart too. She is really lucky to have you as her mom!

and it's good to get on here and have lots of posts to read from you! A total aside, I don't have any advice on the retirement stuff, but I used to read Tucker and Swiss' blog, I know her husband just retired recently and she was writing about it.

Vintage Love & Photographs said...

That is so sad what she said! Does she have ADD?

Unknown said...

This is so sweet but you're right, heartbreaking.

CJ said...

You, my dear, need to write a book. Seriously.

Between Junior with his broken wishing rocks and Abs with her totally Abs things, it would be a best seller.

She is lucky. God knew what he was doing when he gave such a special one to you.

cjh

Jessica said...

wow...this post made me tear up and laugh at the same time.