Watching the reels of Elon Musk's son waving and saying "Hi" into the camera has brought back fond memories for me.
When my children were small (well, I gave birth to all of them in 3-1/2 years - Two boys and one girl, so they were very close in age), we were sitting at a picnic table outside of the Dairy Queen eating ice cream. My second boy, who was about Elon Musk's son's age at the time, kept waving and saying "Hi" to everyone who walked by. I thought it was so cute, and those people smiled and waved back and said "Hi" to my son. Those were the most enjoyable times for me when my children were small.
Staying home to care for them made me feel like a boss. I determined when and what they should eat. I planned their daily meals. I would also take them all out on daily walks. Sometimes, I would prepare a picnic basket and sit with them in the park for several hours. Sometimes, I would take them to shop in a mall and have burgers and fries there. They liked eating the fries and would always finish it, but not so much for the burgers.
Then, as time passed and they got older, I would take them to the donut shop where there were video games for people to play. Patrons could eat and play games at the same time. My kids were pros when they played those games. We would spend several hours there, too, playing and eating. Life was so easy and filled with so much joy in those days.
I often considered myself as an invisible person when growing up in Hong Kong. No one paid much attention to me, except my grandmother. Unfortunately, my grandma passed away when I was twelve years old. I could not wait to come to Canada.
When I attended college here in Canada, I suddenly found myself. I became a pro with the computers. I received praise from my teachers. My classmates would come to me for advice. Later, through work, I met my husband, and three months later we were married. I started my family because I wanted something I could call my own. I think I did that because, psychologically, I wanted to validate my existence and my own accomplishments.
I forgave my parents when they chose to be with us during the last sixteen years of their lives. We forgave them, and we (another brother who was also their least favorite and I) had lots of fun with them before they passed. Life is what we make of it. when you don't hold grudges you can enjoy life and move forward.
Thank you,Ron!!! It sounds like your Mom was a great cook,and she baked for her children too. Good for you and your brother! Good memories of our family never fade.It gets stronger and fonder as we age.
That's a wonderful story about how you had to make yourself valid. Not only in college where you excelled, but when you had children and were able to give them the time that many working mothers don't have.
But I must say you were a champion at getting them hooked on junk food!
My twin brother and our sister who came along 5 years later were lucky to have a stay at home mom who made us homemade baked, canned and fresh food to our great contentment. It was only when we traveled by car that Roger and I always insisted on having a hamburger and fries with a malt when we stopped at restaurants.
Mom made us the best donuts and donut holes that you could dunk and plunk in your mouth in homemade coffee with condensed milk in it. Later, I recall her buying fresh hamburger on Friday evenings when she was working. Fry up a lot of the hamburger until it was crispy good and make homemade crinkle cut French fries for us to enjoy. The best thing my parents ever did for me was encourage me to try new things and to go to college in whatever field I wanted.
Destiny's Daughter by Frances Altman highlights events in the life of Mary Edwards Walker, maverick suffragist, Civil War doctor and only woman Medal of Honor recipient.
