Letters to the Editor

• If You Don't Want to Pigeonholed as "A Mom" Then Don't Let it Happen

  [Read the article: I get grossed out when I hear, "I'm a mom!"]
  [Read more letters about this article: Here]

  I really don't understand the big deal. If you think that your child will be such a minor part of your life, LW, then just don't mention him or her. I dare you.

  Listen, I know full well the heavy weight of assumption that admitting to parenthood is going to bring, but what do you care? You know who and what you are, supposedly. Why do you give a flying rat's ass what other people think? Why are you obsessing about people you obviously don't want to emmulate?

  And I wasn't being totally flip in my first paragraph. If you meet someone you want to befriend about something other than children, then just put off mentioning that you have any until it is absolutely necessary. I worked outside the home when my children were growing up, but I doubt most of the people I worked with even knew I had any. I worked with people who were always in a hurry, and there wasn't much time for chit chat, and even if there was we talked about the news, or elections or the weather, or the project I was helping them complete.

  As far as some of the lightweight posters who bloviate about "how can you give yourself up to another person?" and blah, blah, blah, sorry, but until that baby learns how to use the faucet and knock down the cereal box off the shelf, it's going to be totally dependent on you for its very life, at least until dad gets home from work. For the first six monthes or so, YOU ARE A MOM, first and foremost, whether you like it or not.

  But don't worry, it gets better. That mom first and foremost title can be shrugged off pretty early in the game, and in your case, you are one up on most mothers in that you don't seem to want to live through your children.

  By the time they are out of the house, as mine are, you might not even mention to a new acquaintance that you are a mom, because to a certain extent you are not anymore. Your work, for the most part, is done. All you have to do then is try to keep from gritting your teeth when people ooze pity that you no longer have kids to dote on. Oddly, enough, its usually childless people who do the oozing. Curious. I've sometimes thought that there should be a word or words for mothers and fathers with grown children. How about Mother or Father Emeritus?

  Maybe I just don't get out enough anymore, but I have never heard anyone say "I'm a Mom." I've heard, "I have (fill in the number) children," coupled with profession or hobby or passion, but never, "I'm a Mom." Even my Grandmother, who was born at the turn of the last century identified herself in her Church bulletin as a wife, mother, grandmother, killer Cribbage player, Church treasurer and grower of prize-winning roses. If she had lived to have e-mail, her name would have been "Iluvroses." Maybe times have changed for the worse.

  Permalink Friday, February 1, 2008 12:09 AM

• Damn Straight!!!

  [Read the article: Time to start over]
  [Read more letters about this article: Here]

  When that smirking, chimp-faced pile of overbreeding and mediocrity goes out the White House door I plan to get so drunk I'll pass out on the sofa at 3 in the morning since I generally don't drink. But I'll do it the day chimp-face goes back to Texas.

  Then in the spirit of Mr. Keillor's housecleaning spirit I will get rid of any magazines and block all TV stations that are trying to keep the spirit of the neo-cons alive. Are you listening Time, Newsweek, Fox and even the NY Times? A pox on all of you.

  I look forward to O'Riley having to hunt down people to come on his train-wreck show in person, just as he did when he tried to get Obama to book with him.

  I might also point out to Mr. Keilor that it is not always a bad thing to refresh ourselves about past art and writing. During my own housecleaning binge recently I came upon some writings of St. Augustine, that guy who invented original sin and justified warfare. On the other hand he also admonished believers to not discredit the facts of science just because they disagree with the verses of the Bible. Who knew?

  Permalink Wednesday, February 6, 2008 01:45 AM