While talking to my son about high school (he will be a freshman this year), he suddenly asked me "Who are you?" I was taken aback. I thought for a mere moment that he was being sarcastic. But no - he never is - he was being serious. He became embarrassed - I think - and said it was not important when I asked him what he meant. There are so many ways to answer that question. Too many ways.
I am a Mom with 4 kids. I am married. I am a Liberal I suppose (more liberal than conservative). I work in the Accounting field. Um I like books (classical literature and history), music (jazz to rock - ie: coltrane to rush - some country ie cash some folk ie mckennet) creating things (rpgs, painting minis - although I have been lax at that). I like talking to people about contemporary issues, I like animals, I like long drives along country roads while talking to a friend, l..... well I really am not sure what he meant. Its difficult to define oneself in one sentence. I suppose if I was a poet I could or if I were an artist I could paint what I am. The question came up when we were talking about how High school grades can really effect your college career. He also asked earlier what I would think if he became a lumberjack (we had been talking about how his Dad had worked as one when he was 16) - I told him - with all seriousness - that it would be fine with me along as he backed himself up with a college degree in Forestry. But I believe he was joking.
My son is at a very important age - 14 - so many things will begin to happen to him in the next few years - I am glad we are still talking. We managed to keep good lines of communication with our older kids so I expect to do these same with the younger two... I just worry. Its quite frightening when a teen becomes sullen and won't talk.... I am glad that has not happened for any length of time to me yet.
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