So we have the possibility of Prague on the horizon. The family is interested in exchanging but would need a local university to “invite” the father, who will be on sabbatical too, to come here under its umbrella. Thus far, one local economics department has turned him down. He doesn’t require any pay–just the invitation so that he can more easily get a long-term visa. In return, they are willing to help me get just such an invitation from a Czech university. Thus, if we can convince administrators to sponsor invitations, then the Prague plan will be a go. If not, our family will turn to Plan C, which may entail us eying Eurail passes and autonomous choices.
While we exchange emails across the ocean, here at home Paco has had a tough week at swimming lessons. Having just been moved up to the next level (The Minnows!), he went to his first lesson Tuesday night and came out feeling woeful and non-talkative. Only after much hand holding and an hour at home did he finally burst into the kind of shuddering sobs where speech is hard to choke out. It seems that his swim teacher (who has been warned before that he needs to drop the macho energy when poolside) gave Paco the cue of “Go” to start a lap…and when Paco took a second to adjust his swim cap (ear infections and all) and goggles, the teacher then hollered, “I. SAID. GO!” For a sensitive kid like our Paco, that was devastating. He soldiered through the class before coming home to sob and sob. Because I was just that kind of kid myself, feeling sick in the gut at any minor correction, I was all over making it better. Put another way: YOU DON’T YELL AT MY KID, BUCKO, OR I WILL SHOVE A SCREAM DOWN YOUR THROAT THAT WILL ECHO ‘TIL SUNDAY. Starting next week, he’ll swim with a different group and a trusted teacher. Harrumph.
Then last night, Girl spent her pre-bedtime hour sobbing and sobbing because, as she put it “I was mad at you and Dad because I was angry with myself, and I didn’t want to be mad at myself, so I decided to be mad at you.” My head spinning a bit, I lobbed a few questions and discovered it all comes down to the fact that she doesn’t have a best friend, and because she hangs with a group of seven girls, when they all pair off, she is the seventh, left hanging on the line when it’s time to choose partners in the classroom. I offered her inadequate words like “that just sucks” and “friendships between girls are always painful, but I can promise you they will change and
Comments
19 responses to “Every New Beginning Comes from Some Other Beginning’s End”
Paco dans le bicyclette! C'est incroyable! C'est magnifique!
A touching and lovely slice of LIFE, Jocelyn, thank you. The joy of acomplishment on Paco's face will keep me smiling all day.
V.
oh my, so many events of such magnitude swirling around each of your family members. makes those tender moments all the more precious, dunnit. big hugs to all the members of your household.
First off: Prague! How exciting. I hope everything goes well.
You're a fantastic mother. Horray for Paco's ride! And your daughter is so smart and articulate.
It's scary, getting old, especially when it means being separated from loved ones. That does seem unfair and cruel, and makes us all the more grateful for what we have now. Wonderful post.
On one hand, I have to say how awesome it is that your children have not just grandparents, but great-grandparents, who have been in their lives and they are old enough to have memories of them as they grow up too. And then there is the other side, the painful side of living when mind and body give out and leave for another place. How sad that it is taking place simultaneously for the elders in your life. One at a time is difficult enough but three? I will keep them -as well as you and your family -in thought and prayers for as peaceful a passage as is possible.
Prague sounds like a really exciting possible destination though and will be wishing good thoughts for you that an invitation for the gentleman there can be arranged!
This is–life is a mix of ugly and amazing, blessing and curse.
Good for you, mama bear! We have to stand up for our sensitive wee ones. Silas had a meltdown yesterday because a third grader in his academy can read better than him (a kindergartener). He blames me because I did not get him the 'baby can read' program when he was a babe ergo it's all my fault.
Yes child, yes, it is.
I hope everything comes together in a whirling vortex of rightness and you guys can keep on keepin on.
I feel for Paco. I stopped swimming lessons because some old teacher guy (who was probably all of 15) failed me because, "everyone passed except Jazz because she's too dumb to tread water for a whole minute".
I went home, sobbed and never ever set foot in a swimming class again.
And yet, I love water, and knowing how to swim competently would have been such a wonderful thing for me.
awww your poor sweet kids 🙁
Nothing is more heart breaking than kid's hearts breaking!
Your sabbatical is going to rock …
w00t Paco!
Not sure who said it first, but it is, 'Life on life's terms.'
One family member at a time in a hospice seems painful enough. Peace be with all.
I'm surprised by so little…but I am still amazed at how many coaches still forget the age groups that they are dealing with at times. Luckily, we found a very quiet and well run swim program for my son, who is seven. But I was at his Little League game tonight and cannot believe how fiercely many of the coaches and parents focus on winning. I'm sure someday I will feel compelled to write about it at length.
I love the bike ride ending…as Art Buchwald said, 'the best things in life aren’t things.'
Good luck with Prague!
I have both parents and my mother-in-law all in their mid-eighties now and there are issues coming up where I know I will have to be brave and firm. Bravery, courage, and the joy our partners and children give us means heaps at this time.I pray all the time, please let everything be alright with these generations I'm in the middle of! How much we love is in direct correlation with how much we hurt, and we do!!(which makes the laughter even more precious).I feel for Groom's parents. It's tough.In the meantime,those kids are gorgeous,such a treasure to all of you, and the video beautiful.Like to add Jocelyn that your sensitive mothering of Girl, sets memories and examples that in turn, get passed on to the next generation. We grown-up girls( of grannie age now for me!!)never forget such moments of kindness.I wish there had been more for me growing up! There can never be too many, but you my dear, know that.Keep up the magnificent work. xx
I was that kind of kid, too. Actually, I'd have teared up as soon as the swim teacher yelled.
sweet, sweet, sweet. my heart swelled at the conversations with your kids. life, it's big.
What a roller coaster ride – and I'm not referring to the ones you promised to endure with your charming best friend. I do hope that Prague works out for you and the Czech family, and that somehow a way can be found to put Groom's grandparents in the same hospice room. It is immensely troubling that this was not an automatic placement, unless they are going by gender which is plain ridiculous. I'm glad that Paco has other swimming options than stupid macho bully coaches… how is this guy qualified to work with children?
Oh Paco is so much like my older son. Your daughters story makes me teary. Your family story makes me cry. So many heavy thoughts. Paco on the bike! Sweet!
Jocelyn,
I echo Christopher's thoughtful comment about family members and hospices. It's dreadful that the grandparents have been separated – perhaps something can be done to make sure the hospice respects their emotional state as much as their physical one.
Life is harder for sensitive children, certainly. Your Paco needs an advocate, but the harder thing will be watching him learn to do that for himself. Fortunately he has a very good teacher in you, and I suspect your husband is on the same page. Daughter sounds like a wonderfully together being, knowing what it is she feels and why, and able to reassure herself, to compensate for what she's missing at the moment. What a gift she has! Many people never have that kind of self-awareness, and of those who do, not everyone knows how to take it that necessary step further.
I love the way you write about your life – you take the everyday and make poetry out of it, and along the way you drop your water-bombs of fun and wry observation. Such good writing.
Something will work out for you in Europe, if for no other reason that you'll damn well make it happen! Man, I'd hate to be in your way when you've made your mind up about something.
Loved the video!! What a cute guy! Paco, too!
Tell the Girl I am currently without a best friend, as they all live too far away. However, having a "best friend" is a little inclusive. Having a few "best friends" is much more fun. I have a couple of those and love how it has worked out.
Give Paco a hug for me…I feel his pain and hope he finds a better teacher.
Ah Jocelyn – again you get me all in tears here, sitting here an early Thursday morning, just got in to the office… Life sure is filled with ups and downs.
Bestefar and Bestemor – those are Norwegian words! Grooms ancestors are Norwegian?
Girl sure is fortunate to have a mom like you, BFF and all… :o)
I love that Girl says that you are her best friend. Tis true…when all the girls are gone, mom will be there still.
How, oh how, did Groom's grandparents get assigned to different rooms? That breaks my heart.