I used to be one who hated the change from summer to fall. The cool in the air always reminding me of how’d I felt as a child. Summer fun over; no more playing in the garden or climbing trees. September meant back to getting up too early, in what would quickly become too cold weather, to eat a too-hurried breakfast, just to sit in a stifling classroom for too many hours out of too many days.
That changed forever twenty years ago. Now every year when the last days of August roll around, I get a zing! of anticipation, because autumn brings back to me that momentous September when my first child, my son, was born.
I remember every detail. September 12th was the ‘target date,’ the doctors had said, but we had everything ready long before then. We already knew we were having a boy and that he’d be named after his grandfather. So our tiny dining room in our first flat had been converted to a nursery, complete with white armoire, dresser and crib with blue trim, blue coverlet with a white rocking horse design and blue curtain with white polka dots on the window. On the door, in ceramic letters, we’d put up his name, “Nicholas.” All his tiny clothes were ready, his ‘onesies,’ washed and folded neatly in the drawers, stuffed animals on top of the armoire, ready to welcome him. Every day, I’d go in and look around, just to make sure everything was clean and perfect. I’d smooth my hands over the comforter and my belly and think, Soon, very soon, I’ll finally get to meet you, son.
But he was in no hurry. September 15th came and went with nothing more than what I recognised by now as his usual stirrings. By September 20th, I was getting anxious. “What if they’re wrong?” I asked my friend, Sylvia. “What if I’m having a little girl? She’ll feel like she was ‘second choice’ if she has to sleep in a boy’s nursery.”
Sylvia smiled a patient smile. She’d had to live this pregnancy along with me, as we were working together. The sudden shift in moods, the descriptions of nausea and insecurity and the too-sensitive nose that had us eating lunch at an inconvenient new place, because the glassware in our regular place “smelled horribly of garlic.”
“So, if it’s a girl, I’ll take the curtain down while you’re in hospital, take it back to Fortunoff’s and exchange it for a pink one. We’ll make a new name for the door, too. No biggie.”
Actually it was “a biggie.” The baby, that is. Almost nine pounds and twenty-three inches when he was born, at long last, on September 30th, after three days of labour and a c-section. Throughout which the obstetrician grunted, “What is it with you tiny girls marrying such big, tall men? This is like trying to deliver a full grown Great Dane through a cocker spaniel.”
Thanks a lot, doc, for the visual and…uh…sorry to put you through so much trouble.
But now my son was sleeping peacefully in my arms. I was finally holding him, looking at him. Three days of labour and a caesarean hadn’t been kind to either of us, I saw. He was a bit grey, one of his eyes was slightly swollen, making it appear larger than the other and his nose seemed a bit squashed flat and sideways. Apart from his complexion, he looked like Sammy Davis Jr. on a bad day. In other words, perfect. And wonderful and mine.
Twenty years later, the only physical trace on my body of that birth is a thin, white scar across my lower belly. But mentally, the effects are immeasurable. On September 30, 1987, I gave my son life, but he gave life right back to me. A better life than the one I’d had, a better “me” than the “me” I’d been.
Just by holding him, I understood that there’d better be more to my existence than my perceived shortcomings and inabilities. Those had no place in my life anymore. From then on, I had to be purposeful and confident, because someone else besides myself needed me to be. And because he did, I grew to be courageous and that courage made such a brilliant change for me. I became more compassionate, global and determined. I learned to see more than my insular world, I developed an unbreakable bond with all mothers and all children everywhere. I endeavoured to be everything I knew deep down I was capable of being. Before this, I hadn’t been able to, though I’d so much tried. But now I felt more strongly than ever that I mustn‘t fail, because to fail didn’t mean failing myself only any more, but him, my son. In short, what I’ve been able to achieve and the person I’ve strived to become over the last twenty years, has been because I had a remarkable incentive. I was no longer a girl, a woman, a wife, a teacher or a writer. I was now also someone’s mother. And to me that meant joy, but also accountability. No room for excuses and no room for fear.
So thanks a lot, son, for helping me live my very best life. It started out being for you and then it became your gift to me. I know that someday soon you’ll find your own impetus, whether it’s a child or something else, to be everything you already are inside. It’s just waiting in there, for you to bring it forth. Happy Birthday.
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Thanks for this, Patricia. You've articulated so very well the thoughts of every parent. And you must be very, very proud of the fine young man you brought into the world. Happy Birthday from Oz too, Nick.
Patricia,
We have so much in common! I also have a son that was born in 1987! He was born in March…a few months earlier than your son and he was 9 lbs 14 ounces!. Nicholas by the way is absolutely beautiful! Talk about mysterious! Sigh….If I was twently one years younger….Oh nevermind…that's gross! LOL
Do you find that when our grown children have birthdays we become more and more sentimental as the years go by? I think in my case I'm forced to realize how quickly time goes by…and how my grandmother was right when she told me that my children would grow up too fast.
oh, gosh. that was beautiful.*sniffle*btw, you look exactly the same as you did in that first 1989 picture. wow.
[isto é bom]
What a beautiful story!! Nick is blessed to have such a lovely mother who is full of so much love, compassion, wisdom, and strength. Its amazing the gifts that life brings us to shape and mold us. And parenthood is something where the parent is molding the child while the act of being a parent is also molding the parent! Such blessings you are both to each other. 🙂
And..wow! You certainly don't age! 🙂
Thank you so much for the birthday wishes, Snowy. Nick has relatives in Australia on his father's side, but none that he's been in touch with for many years, so these are his first birthday wishes from Oz. Btw, this will sound silly , but somehow, from your writings, I got the impression you were too young to be a parent. I think it's because you write and think about social and political issues with such depth. Although I know many people my age who do the same, for some reason, that's how it struck me- that you were a person in your twenties, like Illias K. another blogger.
That is interesting that you have a son the same age as Nick. You were a young mother, I see. Nick is lucky I had some seasoning on me. At his age I felt like I could barely tie my own shoes, i was that green and helpless. If I'd been a mother at 21, that child would be in therapy for life! Ha ha. And I also have to add there's nothing "gross" about you admiring Nick's looks. I take it as a compliment and he would be thankful that an older, wiser woman appreciates him. We might be middle-aged and happily -married to men our own age, you and I , but we haven't been struck blind as a result. Ha ha . Oh yes, children grow too fast. Just when you get the hang of things, they're out the door. Nick's room has been a guest room for a more than a year, but I still call it "Nick's room." And when my stepsons, who are all older than Nick, come to visit, I'm over the moon. My ideal holiday is if we are all together. That is almost an impossibility with every one schedules and living in different parts of the country. But, that's life. : )
Thanks for the compliment, but I have to tell you, I WISH that were true. Gravity is beginning to take its toll, Grace my girl. I fight it like crazy, but it's a war I know I will eventually lose. sigh. That's life.
Your comment really touched me. I thank you so much for it. I knew you would appreciate this post because you are such a devoted mother yourself. Sarita is still young and my advice is to enjoy her company, because the years go by waaay too fast and they grow up before you know it. I just told Laurie that Nick's room has been a guest room for more than a year, but I still call it "Nick's room." The most joyful days for me are when I get to see him and my stepsons al together, who are all older than he is and so even busier with work, etc. The times we are all together are very rare and all the more precious as a result.
i understand. my breasts will NEVER be the same. *sigh*
The comments I received on this were really touching. You're right that being a parent molds some of us. And some of us send our children straight into therapy I'm trying so hard not to be a parent in that latter group! Ha ha The older they get, the harder it is to know what to do or that sometimes, the best kind of parenting is to do and say NOTHING. Given the way I write, you can imagine that last bit is the most difficult for me. I appreciate the compliment, too BTW and I have to return it to you. I've seen photos of you on your blog from late teens to late thirties and there is no discernable difference. : )
Ahh. See, now breasts they can 'fix.' Today, it's like going to get new set of tires. You're in, you're out and ready to go with a whole new 'bounce.' Ha ha. I actually know a woman who took all the money she saved from cutting coupons and put it in a jar she called her 'boob jar.' She eventually saved enough to have her breasts done. She had three daughters and the youngest was in her last year of high school, when she finally did it. She says it was worth every penny. Her husband was trying to convince her they should take the money and go on a holiday, but she claims he changed his mind after he saw the 'results'
LOL. now, ya see, i thought i would want to go in for a boob job… but then after i got all done breastfeeding and stuff… i don't know. going in for a painful procedure just doesn't sound like my idea of fun. hehe. now i'm thinking that i'm just going to go and invest in a bunch of really good bras. hehe.
[isto é bom]
Good for you! And you look great anyway. We are always hardest on ourselves. When I look at you, I see a very beautiful woman, inside and out and I am sure your husband would agree with me. I'll take being able to breast feed my child over a perfect pair fo breasts, any day.
thanks… steve says i'm perfect the way i am. and i know i'm harder on myself than he will ever be. i mean, i gave birth to his child… and i know he will be eternally grateful for that. 🙂 i'm just SO glad that i'm with him and not my psycho ex who i'm SURE would ve made me get a boob job by now. pfffft.
I don't find this silly at all. I've been influenced by many writers, just by their stories. I feel honoured to be one who has influenced you. Thank you. I think you would make a very good journalist and it's something that we can do for as many years as we like, we never have to retire, until we're dead! Ha ha. Lots of luck with it. I'll be cheering you on from California! I hope you get better health news soon, too. I'll also be thinkng good thoughts about that.
F**k that. You either do it for yourself or not. Because you want it, but not because some ass***e doesn't think your breast are 'attractive.' I'd love to meet the man who'd go under the knife because his wife or girlfriend says she doesn't think his willy is sexy or some such. I can't tell which bloke would be more insecure and worthless – the one who does that or the one who asks his woman to do that. I'm glad you got rid of that loser, all right. And look what he missed out on that Steve was smart enough to grab and hold on to. You definitely ended up with the better man of the two, kiddo.
i feel the SAME way. i am SO glad that i was able to find the strength to leave that Psycho. hehe… and i am grateful that i met steve. and that i have my little family now. 🙂
It's interesting how every woman has a story like that, isn't it? It almost seems like we have to meet the idiot first so that we can really appreciate the good guy when he comes along…. ( I was with my idiot for almost twenty years, but at least I got a book out of it. Another writer told me that ex-husbands make great writing material. She was right.)
man, i could write volumes. hehe. if only i'd written while i was with him. oh well. it's better this way. i would die if i had to look back and remember everything that happened. i keep meaning to volunteer at a shelter for abused women, but i never got around to it. 🙁 maybe when mia's older i'll do it. :)and it's true. i wouldn't appreciate steve as much as i do if it weren't for Psycho. in that way, i'm almost glad i was with him first. i can't imagine ever taking steve for granted. 🙂
I have to admit to being 68 years of age, Patricia. A young 68, I hasten to add. ;o) Melbourne has the largest Greek population of any city outside Athens.
I hope this comment doesn't mean 'Psycho' hurt you physically. It would make me sick to think that something awful like that happened to someone as delightful as you. Tell me if he did and I will personally beat the crap out of him. I mean it and I could do it, too. Grace,listen, if you ever feel the need to talk about this, I am a very good listener, I can keep a secret and I and am not judgemental. Sometimes these things have a way of sneaking on us when we least want them to, or expect them to. I hope if you were hurt, you had the opportunity to talk about it with someone you trust, at least. No one deserves to be mistreated like that. Least of all you.
Oh, my gosh, I am so surprised. But I agree you must be a young 68, because I had the impression of a much younger person. How wonderful it is to stay young the older we grow. I think our interest in life has a great deal to do with that, don't you? Nick's relatives live in Sidney. They are his father's first cousins. Nick's grandmother on his father's side had thirteen siblings. Some remained in Greece, some immigrated to the United States and some to Australia. I met some of the Australian cousins many years ago, before Nick was born and I liked them very much. I should clarify that I am not of Greek extraction actually, but there could be some Greek blood along with many other bits, because my father is Sicilian-born. My mother is a first generation Italian- American. Her father was from Naples and he rmother was also from Sicily, Messina to be exact. I had a love affair with Greece from the time I was a young girl- the myths , architecture, writings, history and sculpture and ended up living there for seven years, married to a Greek national, Nick's father. We have been divorced for many years. Nick, though born in the United States, lived in Greece with me from the ages of 7-14, speaks fluent Greek and visits Greece every summer. Living overseas was one of the best experiences for both of us. Indeed very mind broadening. I've written a book about our time there, which is soon to be published. I am interested in your blog regarding universal healthcare and plan to comment on it after I've seen the vid you've put up. I wonder what you'll think of what I have to say about it. Have you visited the United States? I read that your party is at 56%. I wanted to send you some California wine if your party wins, ( or loses ,a syou might need it more then) but my husband says they will charge you all sorts of fees. Is that true? I know in Greece there were ways to send and not send in order not to get hit with customs and VAT fees. Tell me if you think I can send you some bottles.
Umm…I just thought of something. When you said you thought Nick had a 'mysterious' look and that maybe it was 'gross ' that you thought he was atteactive, you were talking about the 2006 photo—right? Not the one from 1987? Haha ha. Couldn't resist asking. : )
Your so silly!! hahaha…Yes the 2006 photo! hahaha…
It's so funny but in the last five years I just don't look at men the same way…Oh sure there are the men my age that I look at and usually think "Hmmm he's alright…" But younger men I look at and think…"he's about the same age as my son!"…LOL and if I think they are "sexy" I end up thinking about my son and his friends and the "Sexiness" just kind of vanishes! LOL
BUT…Your son is extremely mysterious and he looks like he might have a book or a song or maybe even a painting hiding within! 🙂
Laurie
Lovely. Thank you!
Thank you, as well. And I wanted to tell you that I wholeheartedly agree with your "Bad Idea number 17," but I couldn't find where to comment. I also think, that given the right circumstances, even when they're wore properly the damn things STILL can ride up and hurt.
Sadly, that's so true. I have a cousin who pines for her lost youth. Though almost ten years older than I , she won't date anyone born before 1980. I keep thinking, "what the devil can she be talking about with these young lads?After looking at them admiringly for a while, you just have to realise they weren't around for any significant part of your youth. And it's just a HISTORY lesson to them. Once, inadvertently, I had a date with a much younger man. He was thirty and I was forty-one. He looked so much older than that. When he told me his age, I was shocked and then stupidily flattered. (Well, I'd just been cheated on by my husband of twenty years, and left him, so I suppose I needed the validation.) Anyway, it was falttering for about three hours into our date and them I realised how out of sync we were. Foir godsakes, he said he thought Madonna was a 'sexy older woman' simply because he just knew her boobs were real, her being Italian and all. That's what young guys think about. Boobs. They can't help it, though. Honestly, women are not much better at that age. I hate to say this, kid,but I fell for Nick's dad at 22 for the same reason you think Nick is appealing. He was 'dark and handsome' and mysterious. Duh. He was just a person with dark hair, but go ahead and try to convince my hormones of that. (Nick looks just like his dad, with only a very little bit of me.)
thank you. 🙂 he did abuse me, in every possible way. i definitely went through my share of crap. but i came out better and stronger. i'm laughing because you want to beat the crap out of him. get in line! hehe 😀 and thanks for the offer. i may take you up on it someday. it was a while ago, but every once in a while, issues still come up. and i still have nightmares about him. which really just pisses me off because he's still in my head. i talk about my experience with just about anyone who will listen because if there's any chance that a woman is going through what i went through, i want them to feel like they're not alone and that i understand them. i don't want anyone to ever feel like they're alone. i felt that way and it was almost more than i could bear. i honestly believe that had psycho and i ended up together, i would be dead either by my hand or his. i'm so glad my life turned out the way it did. 🙂
I'm glad your life turned out the way it did, too. But you made it happen. I'm so sorry that you went through what you did, but happy that you've turned it into something positive, by talking to other women so you can help them. You strike me as so confident and self-asssured that it's hard to imagine you were once vulnerable to someone who would take advantage of the good things you felt for him. Other women would learn from you,because they would find you a miracle as I do. Inside of every person is one great sad thing that they carry with them always. We can't see it in each other, but we know it's there inside of us. It comes up at the times we are most vulnerable and we actually relive it, sometimes, in our head. But, you know, I think it helps us remember how far we've come and how strong we are. You are a survivor and you should be proud. I know I am proud to know you. How wonderful to have met you. : ) Your dauighter is lucky, too because you will teach her what you've learned through experience and it will benefit her.
i am fully aware of every decision that i made that got me in and out of that relationship and what got me where i am today. i say that i'm "lucky" but it was luck that i brought about by being strong. :)i thought i was self-confident and assured and it was just so strange how that relationship came about. i guess i was just a little younger and not quite as smart. hehe. and i wanted to help him, i guess. after him, i realized i didn't want anyone who was "broken" and i ended up with steve. 🙂 besides mia, i have two things that i am very proud of and one of them is leaving psycho. i hope that mia never ever has to go through such a thing. what's bizarre is that my mom is so strong and confident. and i still went through that. hopefully the same thing won't happen to my girl. anyway, thank you for the compliments. 🙂 most of the time, i feel like i deserve it. every once in a while i have moments of weakness, but i suppose we all do. 🙂 i just don't feel bad about being weak anymore. if i have a moment of weakness, i have great friends and a wonderful family i can turn to and then i get over it. 🙂
Wow, he's cute, and only about six months younger than me 🙂 hehehe. Happy birthday Nick.
Don't feel bad. It has nothing to do with being weak and everything to with being young and female. When I wrote my book about my ex-husband, living in Greece with him, etc, I had to get it edited before sending it out to publishers, etc. My editor said, "In your story, you keep apologising for falling for this guy. You have to take some of that out. Do you know how many women fall for men like this? Do you think you're the only one? We've all been here." Until she said that, I did truly think I was one of only a few and I was beating myself up over it, thinking, " How could I have been so stupid? It's just in some people's nature, male or female, to want to help others and to think the best of people, even if they don't deserve that consideration. Those of us who think like that can sometimes be manipulated into giving too much by takers. The takers are the losers, not us. Mia will surprise you with who she is and what she does. My son is soo different than both his father and me that it astonishes me. You will have to watch her make some mistakes, because that's how we all learn. It's a cosmic irony that we can't pass on knowledge to our children. We just aren't wired to listen to our parents after a certain age. It's all part of learning to be independent. But, don't worry, Mia will be following your lead for many years yet. : )
Don't think I didn't notice your age and if you hadn't mentioned you have a boyfriend, I would be talking him up to you, saying "he's single, he's single!" He'd sure be lucky to be involved with a woman like you. I wonder if you recognise him as the dark and handsome Italian from my poem? That photo was pre-musician days. Nick is musician now and has the whole look to go with the profession. I personally think it suits him a great deal, but his father thinks this look is indicative of a 'greased slide to hoodlumism' or something. Thank God I'm not married to that man anymore. But (sigh) he was good-looking in his heyday, too. Looked quite a bit like Nick does now,in fact. (Without the dreadlocks, of course) That's what drew me in. His good looks. Hormones. They can be deadly, yes?
Actually, and this sounds weird, I know, but I'll say it anyway — the first thing I thought of when I saw Nick's picture was that he and my boyfriend share that 'musician' look — guitar, long hair, that kind of beard etc. Damn, it's hard to resist!! Pretty much deadly, as you say 🙂
it's funny because i already see so much of steve and me in mia… and then there's this whole other side to her that i can't figure out. she really is an individual. :)thanks for your advice and words of wisdom. 🙂
Actually, it doesn't sound weird, at all. Laurie, who is 41 made a similar comment about Nick's 'mysterious look' yesterday and thought I would think it was 'gross.' (because he's my son and younger than she, I assume) I told her, we might be old, but we're not blind and we're still women. I think it's the idea of the 'free spirit' musicians evoke that is appealing to us, because, generally speaking, as a sex, we femelas hold back from being too free, so maybe we enjoy it vicariously? Who knows. But Johnny Depp sure capitalised on it in his 'pirate' role. Nick told me on his college campus all the women's dorms have posters up of Depp dressed like that. He says he can't figure it out, either. But you know what? I'll use this opportunity to give my son's music a plug. If you're interested in hearing it, (strictly for professional reasons, of course) it's at http://www.myspace/treatmentmusic.com His music is fusion, combo of blues, rembetiko(Greek folk) and other genres. I think it' s pretty original and pretty darn good, but then, I am his mother.
No kidding. It's like they have all these throwback genes from who knows which ancestor, yes? I have to tell you though, I miss those years that you're enjoying now. Do you know, every year for about 12 years, I made Nick a birthday cake with whatever design he wanted on it? One year it was Beetlejuice and then another year he wanted Batman. I have photos of all those cakes and I had so much fun baking them. I still feel like I should be making a cake at this time of year. And here he is twenty and we didn't even get to see him for his birthday this year. (sigh) My friend's little boy is three and she let me bake his birthday cake back in March. He wanted Batman, too. I was thrilled. It brought back so many memories.
that's so great! i WISH i could bake. well, i guess i can just bake a cake or something, but i am not nearly artistic enough to make any sort of designs or decorations. btw, i clicked on your son's link and it didn't work. i think because there's an extra ".com" at the end. if you delete the ".com" it'll work. :)ah, okay. yeah. it works now without the extra ".com" hey, i think he's pretty good. 🙂
Wow.Thanks! Yea, maybe you can't bake, (I use a mix by the way) but I remember one blog where your mum was coming over I think and you made some really delicious food.Man cannot live on cake alone. ha ha
man may not be able to live on cake alone, but i sure could try! ;P hehe.
Betty Crocker yellow cake with dark chocolate whipped frosting. MY FAV
i've been using duncan hines white cake. mmmm. delish. actually, i made this cake the other day and it was SOOOO good. and the frosting was awesome. 😀
Oh, My gosh. I have to try it. That frosting sounds delicious……Actually it turns out Nick is coming by tonight for a belated birthday celebration. MMM. maybe thi is good oppoortunity to try this out. Thannx for the tip. I'm off to the market….
The beauty of life, love and children. All life changing and incredible.
Thank you Dave. And thanks for the neighbourhod 'add.' I look forward to listening to more of your songs : )
hello Patricia, just to let you know , I am waiting doe a spech to text CD to be delivered so my replys and comments are a bit short as my fingers hurt to much to type.
I am still reading you vox and am so much enjoying what I'm reading and seeing the photos. It will take me a couple of days as I forget things pretty quick so a few reads through and it stasrts to sink in 🙂
<3 dave.
I'm sorry to hear that and I hope the text CD helps. I'l be looking forward to hearing from you and I hope you'll share these experiences with me some time, if you feel you would like to. I'm very glad you're enjoying the posts. Thank you for telling me.
Patricia,
I found this blog very touching and shows that not only do you have a passion for all things Italian and Greek, but motherhood even more so. Nick is so blessed to have you for a mother and you are blessed much more for having him as a son. The pictures are great, by the way. Many loving wishes out to Nick for his 20th birthday!
One of the things I miss being out here in Arizona away from the stepkids and grandchild back in New York, are the times we all would get together and catch up on things, enjoy each other's company and basking in the warmth of family love.
Not that I mind being with my husband, but I can understand how nice it is having all the kids together under one roof, even if it is for one day.
Anyway, thanks for this very special blog and again, loving birthday wishes to Nick!
Patricia, I too used to feel the same about the Autumn, until my first child was born in September! She was due on the 28th September, but came two days early. I remember the weather outside my hospital window was stormy and the wind I can remember blowing through the old windows that could not have been very well insulated! I also remember how I felt holding her on my own for the first time. The most amazing feeling in the world! Then I would let her fall asleep on me so my breathing sent her to sleep. I remember thinking what a lovely feeling this little bundle curled up like a little frog is mine all mine! 😀 She would not sleep in the horrible plastic hospital cribs, she knew where she wanted to be and so did I, it was a lovely moment and one that I shall treasure. She was born in 1998, and has just had her 9th birthday! 🙂 My other daughter was born in 2002, and because I had problems having her (I had pre-eclampsia) my partner and I decided not to have anymore children.
This is a charming story and I can just picture it. Thank you for sharing it. Having two lovely daughters is a blessing. They're lucky, too because their mum is such a good cook. I tried your recipe and it was delicious!
Thanks for the comment, Guiseppina! I'll pass on the birthday wishes to Nick!
Thank you for the kind offer, Patricia, but yes, the cost would be exorbitant, and besides, I think I would be tempting fate. 56% seems almost too good to be true. I'd hate to find out that it was.
Snowy, I'm reading your statement about' 56%' and I'm confused. I don't know to what yor're referring. Did I forget something? I'm doing that a lot lately and I have to admit, it's starting to worry me. I hope it's just normal aging and not something worse. I know you're referring to the wine, but what in heck were we talking about?
Okay… rather than ask your age I'm simply going to assume you had your boy when you were 12 and go from there. Wonderful post, I think that I may be close to having my own child soon… maybe in the next couple of years. I certainly hope it works out as well as it did for you.
Aren't you sweet. A compliment like that goes a long way. I'm 51. I mention it a lot in my posts, so it's not a secret. I think you'd be a great dad, judging from your posts, but it does change your life in a way you'd never expect. BTW- I meant to ask you, you said you are also writing. What sort of writing do you favour? I'd love to read some of it.
Sorry Patricia, I was referring to the 56% lead my party has in the polls.
Professionaly I've dipped my toes in the tech journalism pool and oddly enough some pretty colored fish have tried to eat them. I wouldn't say it's been lucrative yet but it's been interesting and I'm learning a lot. Other than that I've dabbled in a setting involving religions and mythology that you've been privvy to. I just need to work out the details better, and some day maybe I'll write some good stories within it. My forte's always been developing settings and characters, plots and scenario's still elude me, but they'll come I'm sure.
You're off to a good start, I think.I know I read a story because I enjoy the characters. The plot is important but only in that it centres around them. Mot plots are recycled by now. Case in point- the JK Rowling stories are great, but it's a pretty basic plot- good against evil, etc. What makes the stories are the setting and characterisations, just what you say is your forte. It should be interesting to see what you come up with in a few years. I love things to do with mythology and many sorts of mysticism.
Okay. Thank God. I thought I was losing it. BTW- I have a comment about your latest post "Values" but i'm deliberating over whether I should make it or not. We disagree on one point you made. Are you up for a social debate, or are you one who takes exception to them?There's no point in offending you, if so. I find that some people are so emotionally attached to a belief that if someone comes along and asks them to think about it with a rebuttal, they become incensed. Others welcome the exchange. because I spent so many years in Greece, I mixed with many in the latter group. Here in the States, however, if one makes a statement that's not held by the general local population, it's taken as a personal insult. In short, I've learned to keep my mouth shut with those people, unless they are my current government.
Please go right ahead and disagree. It isn't very well written, so chances are that I'll agree with you. ;o)