The French call it a volte-face, I fear I might have to call it the inevitable consequence of recent events. Firstly I made the foolish mistake of revelling in our daughter’s improved behaviour, then I was enlightened as to her actions outside the home. I suppose a person cannot be expected to continue to perform as expected when the truth is exposed. Now we all know that school and transport have had to deal with the old behaviours our daughter has clearly decided we should not be spared.
I often feel the tenor of the day is set in the morning, those early moments lead the way. When we wake feeling fully rested and energised we are ready for anything, no task is too demanding, no limits will be accepted. Other mornings we ease into the day, taking our time, enjoying the stretched out nature of those early moments. The quiet cup of something hot, the savoured view from the window, watching the sky lighten from night to day laden and loaded with promise. Then there are the other days of rushed and harried starts, when nothing seems to go right and whatever demon lurked in our sleep is waiting and eager to spoil our day. The mornings when we wake and we are in a mood, or worse, someone else is and we have to deal with them.
This morning 14 woke and was ready for action. There was something in her mind and she was determined and she has been the same all day. There is a lot to be said for focused people, knowing their own minds and goals and going for them. There is less to be said, or just as much but less of it good, for those whose minds wander to things they should not do. My daughter and I are currently at an impasse. Even as I type she sits and watches me with a smirk that says, don’t count on being able to finish that in one sitting sister. I in turn am returning with a look that says she won’t repeat what she just did if she doesn’t want to be scowled at again. Frankly I am thankful that the unpleasant expression of which I am often accused of having works so well, 14 and I would be lost without it. If you are a believer in having everything for a purpose I suppose that is mine, keeping order through surly expressions since 1998.
Who said everything won’t come in useful some day?
I hope this Saturday finds you enjoying the sort of day you enjoy most and has some love in it.
All images © L. McG.-E. All rights reserved.
© 2012, Penbleth / L. McG.-E.. All rights reserved.
wendy - Again, relief mixed with laughter that I’m not alone! I’m sorry you had such a “challenging” day (is that what they’re calling it these days?) but I’m so glad for your candor.
I think my bitch line (the one between my eyes that seems to deepen by the hour) and your scowl would get along just fine…
(Beautiful photo, too…!)
Shannon - Oh, the trials and tribulations of motherhood….especially as a mother of a teenage daughter. And you have much more than the typical challenges. You are a very strong person, I can tell from just the few posts that I’ve read since discovering you through BFTH.
Becs - Beautifully written and very moving. Love your description of your scowl! Lovely image too.
Penbleth - Thank you Becs.
Penbleth - Thank you Shannon.
Penbleth - Thank you Wendy, yes “challenging”, is the word. Apparently it sounds better than, “being a little so and so”. For some reason the powers that be don’t believe in telling it as it is. Pause before you say it and give it some inflection, the meaning becomes clear then to those in the know.