Been There
By Mitch Berg
Bun and Zam, my kids, are both teenagers now. They bring all the things kids usually bring to one’s life; sullen, crabby disobedience, stubborn crankiness, a level of consequence that I as an adult know all too well and that they as overgrown babies do not.
But some things from their younger, more innocent years remain. For instance – blood-curdling, hair-yanking sibling rivalry.
So I read this bit from Sheila O’Malley about a passing observation while walking amidst the trick-or-treaters in rural New York City, and smiled at the familiar…emotion.
Emphasis added:
I became aware that 2 small boys, probably aged 6 or 7, were literally rolling around on the pavement in a scuffle. Rolling. They weren’t throwing punches, or being too rough, they were just wrestling fiercely. One was dressed as Elvis in Elvis’ bloated Vegas later years, and one was a skeleton. Standing over the two fighting boys were two mothers, and as I approached I heard one of them say – in a voice that could only be described as FLAT – she wasn’t pleading, or cajoling, or scolding. She had been in this situation 5,000 times and was merely speaking the truth. She is an ADULT being faced with the absurd intensity of children – and she accepted it – but she did not succumb to it. I heard her say, “Nobody’s costume is better than the other’s…” which already made me start laughing. Elvis and the skeleton were rolling around due to competitive feelings about costumes. But it was her TONE that really struck me. I just fell in love with her. She was barely paying attention, actually – she was chatting with the other mother, and broke focus long enough to say, “Nobody’s costume is better than the other’s …”
On the one hand, I’m picturing Fran Drescher pulling on a piece of chewing gum as she grinds the language through a North Jersey accent.
On the other – I’m at the point where “flat” is all I can personally muster for yet another kid squabble.
November 1st, 2007 at 8:13 am
“”For instance – blood-curdling, hair-yanking sibling rivalry.””
Oh Lord, I know from experience (I have a younger brother) that they will eventually out grow it, but for crimony’s sake, my boys are all teenagers and it seems it is getting worse before it gets better. I figured you had it better being different genders and a level of independence my boys never have really had, sharing a room and all.
Thank God you will have to deal with it Friday *laughing*
I don;t want to rush my life away, but don’t think I’m not counting down the days either *laughing*
Flash
November 1st, 2007 at 8:36 am
“in rural New York City”
Staten Island?
November 1st, 2007 at 9:17 am
Heh, my wife said to me the other day, “You never thought you’d be numb to certain things, did you?”
November 1st, 2007 at 9:38 am
I LOVE watching Fran Drescher. With the mute on.
November 1st, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Bill C-
My wife is from Bud Lake in northern New Jersey. Sometimes she says ‘bada-bing!”. The worst insult she can think of is to call someone a ‘gibroni’. And yes, there are times I wish she had mute button.
November 1st, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Well, I certainly hope both lads were hauled off in handcuffs by the local law, kicked out of school (or if too young for school, have their names put in their PERMANENT RECORDS to be kicked out of school when the time comes to go to school), be charged and convicted as felons, pulled from their homes and raised in foster care and any and all else deemed necessary for ZERO tolerance. As we all know, wrestling with your friend as a 6 or 7 year old kid is just one short step from shooting up your highschool. And if either of them pointed a finger at the other and said bang…..well, to the electric chair with him. Nip this in the bud.