Mindy Kaling’s funny book Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) is full of pictures of her chubby little child-self. It puts me in mine my theme this week: Never mind the offspring blushing to acknowledge the parent, here’s a story where the parent HAD to have blushed to acknowledge the child.
My summer-camp-director of a mom was standing next to the camp nurse Fran, who was new that year and so was enjoying the spectacle as the campers filed into the dining hall from flag-raising exercises.
Some were so cute! – look at this little cabinful! – and the nurse said as much .
Then… “But whose unfortunate-looking child is THAT you have to wonder?” she said to my mom indicating one small girl.
It was inevitable.
“That child is my daughter,” said Mom somewhat icily.
I never heard this story until two years ago. It sure puts me in MY place but I look at the pictures, and who can argue? Live and get humble!
As time goes by, I think we not only grow older, but better.looking. That is, until the age of 75. Then things start going down. I mean REALLY down. Like who IS that fright in the mirror??? My sister, age about l0, accompanied my mother into the store fitting room as she tried on a new dress. “How do I look?” she asked. Diana said, “The dress looks good,.. but the face?”
OH YOUR POOR MOM! WHAT A REMARK!
I love the way you look now AND then. It’s a wonder your mother didn’t fire that nurse then and there.
They became and remained very good friends actually. Fran was wonderful as is her daughter Trish who was little more than a baby when she first came with her mom to our camp.
Your lovely and look completely different than High School. I think we get more beautiful with AGE and WISDOM!
That would be nice wouldn’t it Susie.. The wisdom part I mean
Thanks for this dearie..
“That girl” was adorable then.
well Ann that’s just testimony to your niceness..
She was cute and fun. What better combination.
Terry, How old were you? That nurse was lucky it wasn’t humid that day.
ha! for sure! I started camp when I was five Mike
Kathy, thinks you look “Darla” from the “Little Rascals”. Kathy hasn’t laughed uncontrollably for a very long time, the “water on the brain” line finished her off. “One of your best”
god help us
That little girl, ie – you Is Not and Was Not and Still is Not Homely!
tes!! i knew that little girl- she was my best friend!! and just look at her now…:)
She still is your best friend.. Thanks Sheil!