LJ Idol Season 10 - Week 15: Patchwork Heart

[tonithegreat]

I turned my back to the dying fire and crab-walked the six feet or so to the edge of the ridge we were camping along. I was sore and every muscle was just tired enough not to want to stand all the way up and then get back down again. But I wanted to finish my beer with my legs dangling down into the unknown, looking out at the distant town lights

Comments

[dmousey]

This is beautifully written. I hope your girls read this one day, your love for them shows in every line. Hugs and peace~~~

[tonithegreat]

I was thinking about that- what they might think if they read this down the road. And I really hope that I'm hope overly burdening them with expectations- either in writing or just in the day to day of our lives. It's such a hard line to walk. Hugs to you, too, and thanks for your comment.

[halfshellvenus]

There is so much pressure in that pre-college time, when you feel as if you're deciding your entire future (on too little information) and the risk of making the wrong choice is enormous.

From years later, you can look back with the perspective that lifts the weight from that, but it's so hard to convey to someone of that age-- so hard for them to believe.

This is the first time I've gotten the sense that your children might be twins, and are about to flee the nest at the same time. One at a time is hard enough!

[tonithegreat]

I've only got the two of them, so I will never be abe to compare and contrast whether it is harder or not to loose them both at once. For my mom who had two of us staggered by a year and a half, I think the first one help her get ready for the second, but even then, a clean break may be easier. Although the whole line of reasoning presupposes that they will both be ready to leave at the same time, and while I suspect that they will, I realize that is a potentially burdensome expectation of it's own. But so it goes.

Thanks so much for your comment.

[tonithegreat]

Thank you! It's really sweet to hear such feedback. It was a rough week, but this weekend has made up for it. Life can be like that sometimes.

[banana_galaxy]

Plus having other life experience gives you more to draw from when you write. ;)

I think my mum went rock climbing for the first and only time just before she turned 49, so I enjoyed the part where you wrote about that. It's never too late to find a new interest!

[tonithegreat]

It's really true that it isn't too late! I just made a new friend last year through climbing who is almost my mom's age and she climbed a full grade harder than me _and_ is making my dream of living in a van around the country and climbing for retirement a reality.

[beeker121]

This is such a great slice of life, and rumination on the choices we make. Your wordsmithing is pretty awesome here.

[tonithegreat]

I thank you kindly! Life has been so full lately. But idol has been a really nice part of it.