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03:06:2006 Entry: "Stan : 'My 17 Years as an Unauthorized Jew' (The Good, section 1 part 2: Mother)"
'My 17 Years as an Unauthorized Jew' (The Good, section 1 part 2: Mother)
Before the age of 34 my earliest childhood memory was wanting a cluster of helium balloons I saw drifting above the ground across the street from my parents' house. Our family was returning home from a town parade, and when I saw the multicolored collection I told my mother that I wanted them. I thought my mother would walk across the street and bring them back for me, but instead she said, "come on let's go get them". I was 3 years old and these balloons were being blown by the wind just above the ground faster than I could move. The tied end of their strings dragged along the ground over rocks, grass and dust. My mother and I followed them, and along the way I thought, at any time, she would run ahead of me to catch the strings. She kept her pace with mine, and I became filled with dread that they would get away and we would never reach them. Perhaps this memory has stuck in my mind because she waited for me to grab the balloons at my slower pace instead of catching them for me. The imagery and emotions are both strange and beautiful for me, and I feel fortunate that this memory has remained vivid and clear through the passing of time.
1 Comments
The temptation to do things for our kids is sometimes overwhelming. It is a big step for parents to stand back and let kids achieve things (or fail) on their own. She gave you this opportunuty while holding your hand the whole time, telling youby her actions you could do it and she would be there with you. What a wonderful lesson to be taught. No wonder you remember it so vividly!
Posted by Dawn @ 03:07:2006:12:26 PM CST
By Stan @ 07:43 PM CST:03:06:06 ..::Link::..
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