Time Warp

Why is it that at this stage of my life, I still don't feel like the adult my mom was?

Clearly, I've adulted successfully. I've partnered with Mr. Ginley in raising our son, held down several jobs to put food on the table and done my share of household tasks.

Still, there's a part of me that feels I'll never be as much of an adult as my mother. 

Mary Schrimpf ruled the roost. Much like Japanese culture, the myth was that my father was in charge but in reality, my mom held the important cards. She managed the household, paid the bills and meted out discipline. Dad went to the office, earned a paycheck, laid down the law and yelled a bunch. Still, it was Mom who could make your insides crumble when she looked you in the eye and told you she was ashamed of you for something you'd done.

In my weird little mind, I started to wonder how differently Mom would have handled things if she'd raised a family in the now times. Would she have stopped at four children, which was the original plan? Would she have worked outside the home? 

And, more importantly, would she have had a Facebook page?

This thought intrigued me (it's been a slow week), and I thought it might be fun to imagine some of the Facebook posts my mother might have written if there's been FB back in the day. I decided to put myself in her shoes for one year. I picked 1964.

January

The kids always hate New Years Day because they have to take down all the decorations, clean up the pine needles from the Christmas tree and scrape the fake snow off the windows. But it seems only fair, since I'm the one who does all the decorating. 

February

We had to watch The Ed Sullivan Show because Gary and John were all excited about some new British band that was on. They're causing a lot of hoo-ha, I guess. I liked some of their music, but their father hated it. I told him I'm sure they're just a fad and will be gone before you know it.

March

I need to make sure the kids have their Easter outfits and that the girls all have hats to wear. They can't attend mass without something on their heads. They're always embarrassed they forget to wear a hat and I make them put a tissue on their head with a bobby pin. (Not a good look for Easter.)

April 

Think I'll make cube steak for dinner tonight. I know it's not everyone's favorite, but the meat tenderizer really makes it almost edible.

 

May

Just brought home our new little boy. We named him Paul. Barbie isn't taking it well at all. She ran to the car, saw and me and said, "You look different." I'm sure she'll warm up to her little brother in time.

June

I'm going up into the attic today to get the summer clothes out of mothballs. The kids will have to try things on to see what fits. 

July

I have to bake a cake for Barbie's birthday. She's getting her first Barbie Doll this year, she's going to be so happy.

August

Next weekend we'll be heading to Lima to visit my folks and Tony's mom. Need to make sure everything gets packed and the kids are up and ready to go at 6:00. 

September

Labor Day means the kids will be going back to school tomorrow. Barbie starts at St. Columbkille. I hope she gets a nice teacher for first grade.

October

Time to pull out the costumes for Halloween. Those plastic masks are so scratchy. I think Denise and Barbie are the only ones going out this year. Maybe Diane will hand out the candy.

November

Thanksgiving is this week. I need to make out my shopping list for Kroger's. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberries, rolls. Busy day for Mom!

December

I love Christmas. Can't wait to decorate cookies. It's messy, but the kids have a lot of fun.

Wherever you are Mom, know that I love you and miss you.

And in the end, I decided my baby brother was pretty okay.