My voice is yours
Mamamia,
For many years, people have told me that we sound alike. More than the voice, it's the things I say. Many times when we're together, we say the same things at the same times, looking at each other and laughing at ourselves. Sometimes when I am reading to the kids, it's your voice I hear telling the story and I know that if we were to record the reading and play them back at the same time they would probably match - word for word, the same cadence and inflection. I don't know how this happens. It's been fifteen years now since we've lived in the same house but so often the words that come out of my mouth are barely my own, an echo of your voice to my ears.
To me, this is quite possibly the highest praise I could ever give to myself. To hear your words in my own voice - it must mean that I'm doing something right. There are many times in each day when I think about what you would do to handle a situation - how you would get the kids to settle down (take them outside), how you'd get them to eat their dinner (take them outside all day so that they're starving when it's time to eat), or how you'd get them to listen (you'd take them outside and let them do fun stuff so that they'd want to listen).
For you, I'm grateful. I'm thankful. I'm very, very lucky. Thank you for being the voice I hear and for giving me the words to say.
Love,
Jennie
P.S. Sometimes I get frustrated and I feel like swearing, but I don't... knowing that is something that you never did around us and that's a pretty good way to grow up. I only remember one time hearing you say something "bad". I remember I was about 12 and was loafing around. You were busy rushing around the house, cleaning, washing the windows, picking up after us and doing laundry. You said "When am I going to get some fricking help around here?" We all sucked in our breath, muttering a weak "sorry" under our breaths and hustled off to our rooms to whip them into shape. We knew it was SERIOUS - we'd never heard you say such strong words before. Since I know the impact that it can have, I'm saving up my single use of "fricking" and I'm vigilantly watching for the perfect moment. When I use it, I'll stomp off for extra impact, grab the phone and call you so we can laugh about it together.
For many years, people have told me that we sound alike. More than the voice, it's the things I say. Many times when we're together, we say the same things at the same times, looking at each other and laughing at ourselves. Sometimes when I am reading to the kids, it's your voice I hear telling the story and I know that if we were to record the reading and play them back at the same time they would probably match - word for word, the same cadence and inflection. I don't know how this happens. It's been fifteen years now since we've lived in the same house but so often the words that come out of my mouth are barely my own, an echo of your voice to my ears.
To me, this is quite possibly the highest praise I could ever give to myself. To hear your words in my own voice - it must mean that I'm doing something right. There are many times in each day when I think about what you would do to handle a situation - how you would get the kids to settle down (take them outside), how you'd get them to eat their dinner (take them outside all day so that they're starving when it's time to eat), or how you'd get them to listen (you'd take them outside and let them do fun stuff so that they'd want to listen).
For you, I'm grateful. I'm thankful. I'm very, very lucky. Thank you for being the voice I hear and for giving me the words to say.
Love,
Jennie
P.S. Sometimes I get frustrated and I feel like swearing, but I don't... knowing that is something that you never did around us and that's a pretty good way to grow up. I only remember one time hearing you say something "bad". I remember I was about 12 and was loafing around. You were busy rushing around the house, cleaning, washing the windows, picking up after us and doing laundry. You said "When am I going to get some fricking help around here?" We all sucked in our breath, muttering a weak "sorry" under our breaths and hustled off to our rooms to whip them into shape. We knew it was SERIOUS - we'd never heard you say such strong words before. Since I know the impact that it can have, I'm saving up my single use of "fricking" and I'm vigilantly watching for the perfect moment. When I use it, I'll stomp off for extra impact, grab the phone and call you so we can laugh about it together.
Thank you for your kind words, Jennie. I am honored that you feel my words have been a positive influence. I do have to admit that it is quite eerie when we say the same things in the same way. I have learned to identify myself on the phone when I am at your house to avoid being mistaken for you, so as not to hear something that wasn't meant for MY ears! It is quite funny that you remember my ONE little slip of the tongue in all my child rearing years. Let's hope that never happens again!
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