Monday, September 19, 2011

Good Golly Repost for Molly's 27th Birthday


Molly had said I wouldn't be writing when her birthday rolled around and she was correct.  So, here's a re-post of something I'd written a while back.  Molly, I love you and am glad you are still around to keep the rest of your family on their toes.  Happy 27th birthday!

Miss Molly

What a week this has been for you. After making the ridiculous decision to take four teacher-certification tests in one day, having had a total of eight weeks of education courses, you managed to pass all of them, getting your results a few days ago. And then there was the going to class and finding out you are now highly qualified (a No Child Left Behind leftover term) to teach either Special Ed or English or some kind of crazy combination of both.

But let’s go back about 25 years.

You were my late-in-life baby, a surprise but never a mistake. On the day you were born, as I put you to my shoulder to smell your sweetness, you patted me on my close-to -middle-aged back with your little hand, as if to say everything would be all right.

There were times during your teenage years when I questioned your commitment to that promise.

Although we had picked out Emily for you, you were a Molly from the first time I saw you. Whenever you complained about being named after a Little Richard song, your daddy told you to be grateful it wasn’t Tutti Frutti.

You didn’t have an easy childhood with your father and me divorcing when you were six, with your anxiety causing you to throw-up into Barbara’s kitty litter box each morning on your way to school, and with your sorry eyesight requiring your little pink glasses.

Barbara’s house was your safe haven while I traveled with work and other things. She did your hair, bought your clothes, packed your lunch, and was generally your mother while I climbed my ladder and followed my bliss. You were so good at school and so worried about it that I promised you a party if you’d just get into some kind of trouble.

That was a mistake. You later got into all kinds trouble and had your own parties. When you were in Middle School, I remember you drawing body parts in class and then proudly wearing the shameful orange vest with the other “misunderstood” miscreants.

And then there was high school and your first love, which could and probably should have done you in, but didn’t. I’ll never forget that day in July of 2004 when you told me you wished we could look ahead a few years so you could surprise me with how you would turn things around. Well, almost six years later, you’ve gotten your wish. However, even though I’ve been amazed by your intelligence, commitment, and stamina, and delighted with your success, I’m no longer surprised by the adult you’ve become.

The rest of that tough summer, you and I spent a lot of time together, getting to know each other all over again, reading good books and watching bad television. You began to make new friends while holding on to the old ones, who, like you, decided it was time to grow up.

I knew you were going to be fine when you got to college and started actually liking your professors, and when you changed your major from practical Computer Sciences to totally impractical English "because you loved it". At that point, those bits and pieces of earlier hard times managed to make you strong enough to take on the world, while also helping you to understand and accept the frailties of others, characteristics that will make you a wonderful teacher.

And so, my youngest child, friend to brilliant odd balls, old souls, and facile survivors, I predict you will continue to find your own way in this crazy world on whatever paths you decide to follow. In addition, it seems you have managed to keep that very first promise you made to me when you were just a few hours old. Everything is, indeed, all right.


12 comments:

Friko said...

This being a re-post, it follows, that what you said then is still true now, so congratulations to both of you.

Hope everything is okay, Marcia.

LC said...

Glad you reposted this gem. Happy Birthday Molly! Marcia, how are you and that new position getting along? Ditto Friko.

Nance said...

Aren't we all just in love with our children?! I'm sure she'll treasure this.

Arkansas Patti said...

Happy Birthday Molly. Seems you and your Mom made some wise choices.
This should be printed out and framed.

Olga said...

A happy birthday wish to Miss Molly. Isn't it wonderful when we realize we don't just love our children, we actually like the person they are?

Wisewebwoman said...

Glad to see you surfacing Marcia I have missed you and hope the new position is not sucking too much out of you!
Lovely tribute to your Miss Molly!
XO
WWW

nazelet said...

I've never read this post before Marcia.
I am SO HAPPY you are back. I missed you.
Happy Birthday to Molly. How lucky to have such a special mom. How sweet of you to let your mom know that everything would turn out fine on that first day with a pat on the back.
What a moving and loving tribute to Molly. It made me teary.
Actually, what's wrong with tutti frutti?
How are you? How is Molly doing?

marciamayo said...

Thanks Friends. The job is sucking me dry, but it's not the job's fault. Molly is well as am I. I just got so tired of hearing myself write, I decided this might be a good time for a break. The itch will come back, hopefully soon. I miss you all.

schmidleysscribblins,wordpress.com said...

Lovely thoughts, and I hope all is well with Molly these days. Dianne

molly_talbert919 said...

Thanks for all the birthday wishes!

And thank you, Mama, for this. I have found myself reading it over and over for the past year. What a gift.

MaryB said...

What a beautiful and lovely tribute. It says so much about both of you - what very special people you are. So glad to hear your voice again Marcia and to know what's happening in your life. Take care.

joared said...

Glad to hear from you. Lovely tribute to your daughter and the relationship the two of you have. Nice to know all is well for both of you.

A happy birthday wish for Miss Molly!

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