The nice thing about my daughter telling me that I am a very boring person is the way the way that my friends have rallied around me in the aftermath.
“Boring?” one asked. “There are a lot of things I can call you, but not boring.”
“OMG, you are the least boring person ever!” Another one told me. “Of all the things she could have said about you.”
It felt good to have the people I cared about come to my defense.
Until I started to think about what they were saying.
And question them about it.
“So, when you said that there were a lot of things you could call me, what exactly did you mean?” I asked, poised to take notes. Because I’m always looking for synonyms for gorgeous, generous, so wise for your age and whole body hangs off your cheekbones.
“Oh you know, nuts, controlling, insane– that kind of thing,” one soul mate offered.
“Yeah, close-minded, vapid, selfish and lazy,” another one volunteered.
“What?” I was stunned, although not quite into silence. “MOI?”
There was an uncomfortable silence.
“Well, obviously we don’t think that about you,” they told me in what appeared to be a carefully rehearsed monologue delivered by two people. “But that’s the kind of crazy thing that a teenager may have said.”
“Oh,” a tear rolled down my perfectly sculpted cheekbone.
They looked uncomfortable.
And a little guilty.
“But not boring!” they offered. “Yes, definitely not boring!”
I’m so lucky to have such great friends.
But not as lucky as they are to have me.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: mommyshorts
February 13, 2012 at 12:08 am
Selfish and lazy is an excellent lifestyle. Don’t knock it.
You say “controlling” like it’s a bad thing.
Why do people always put insane and controlling together?
You’re one of rge funniest people I know, and I am counting down the days until I see you again in May! Also? You’re NOT boring!
Twitter: wendiaarons
February 13, 2012 at 8:58 am
Have you ever considered that she called you boring because you’re constantly drilling holes in things?
Definitely not boring! I mean,you write about CATS, right? And Motherhood! Those 2 things are most definitely not boring.
Especially not to your kids.
Twitter: jukeboxbarb
February 13, 2012 at 10:21 am
boring is the new scintillating.
Ha, she did hit where it hurts….
I know you for a few years, mostly you are not boring….
But to her most of your agendas are boring.
If you offer her to go to the dinner dance to, let say, West Point, her reaction would be very different.
But, as democracy stops by your front door, you will hear more of this stuff.
I never said vapid. You made that one up.
Twitter: Mamabirddiaries
February 13, 2012 at 5:04 pm
How come I never got to weigh in?