2009-05

We never looked at our mom the same way after she streaked.

My sisters and I were having a conversation at lunch one February weekend about streakers at our high school. In the early 1970s, occasional streakers darted through our high school cafeteria. We wondered whether the trend would escalate as the weather got warmer in the spring.

At age 48, I’m becoming a mother again. 

We’ve known about it for about nine months now, but even before that we’d guessed it would happen at any time. We are very excited.  And this time we know exactly what we’re having: we’re expecting a beautiful, bouncing, 22-year-old boy.

You see, my daughter is getting married.  And that will make me a first time mother — in-law.

“Why in the name of Heaven did you get pregnant again?”

I weighted down her lunchbox with two water bottles, to make sure she wasn’t suspicious.

The following words will destroy any coolness factor I may have: I love my mini-van. With just my thumb, I can open and close the doors and windows.

I am learning what it means to be a woman,
To be a mother,
A womb-an
A token of fertility
A life-giving vessel

With this responsibility comes
Death and disease
Miscarriage and cancer

If you listen to women who have chosen The Mother Path, especially those in The Stay-at-Home Corridor, they tend to ask each other “So, what did you do before?”

Hello, there!

(grunt) Hey. See some ID?

Sorry, but I didn't bring it with me tonight.

Need to see some ID.