The Lily Pad

By froggy (not a member of the author's guild)

froggy

froggy
Location
Portland, Oregon, USA
Birthday
June 07
Title
She Who Must Be Obeyed
Company
Yes please! Come on over. We'll have tea.
Bio
Mom, editor, writer, wife, traveler, dog owner, laundry wrangler, and superintendent of homework.

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Salon.com
FEBRUARY 15, 2011 2:20AM

Ambivalent Valentines

Rate: 7 Flag

My son came home from seventh grade
With a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"How was your day?"
"OK."
"What did they do for Valentine's Day?"

"The girls brought candy for the boys.
Charlie had about seven bags and Jack had
eight and Connor's spilled on the floor he
had so many."

His shoulders slumped.
I didn't need to ask.
No one brought any for him.

My daughter came home from fifth grade
Happy, oblivious, the last year of folded
paper Valentines for the whole class stuffed
in decorated shoe boxes.

She got one from Him (The Boy), she showed me.
But one, from some girl named Annie
Had my daughter's name, but with "Note: Weirdo"
Written underneath.

"Was she being funny?"
"I don't think so."

My husband made dinner
We struggled through algebra
And violin
Then threw in the towel
And all of us crammed on the couch
To watch TV, and laugh,
And share Hershey's Kisses
In a heart-shaped box
From me.

Author tags:

iron poet challenge - battle of the sexes, poetry, middle school just sucks, valentines, kids

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"No one brought any for him."

PFFFFFT on them!! :(

But :) for the ending!!

Rated.
Tinkerertink69
February 15, 2011 03:35 AM
Valentine's Day?" Was it Valentine's day? I guess I'll just re-check my algebra numbers, then knock out a little Verdi on the ol fiddle.
R
Out on a limb
February 15, 2011 03:36 AM
Eeek, I could feel the pain. I didn't realize we have kids of the same gender in exactly the same grades. The last year of "valentines for everyone" is something to hold on to, it doesn't get any easier after that!
mamoore
February 15, 2011 05:30 AM
Thud. That was the sound of my heart as I read about your kids' day.
Middle school sucks so hard. Mothers like you help smooth the path.
So glad the day ended so sweetly. ~r
Joan H.
February 15, 2011 06:46 AM
This is poignant. I feel so for your son (and tell your daughter that "weirdo" means she will rise far above the norm, later). I remember loving to decorate those shoe boxes even more than seeing how many cards I'd receive. And that served me well, too:)
dirndl skirt
February 15, 2011 09:08 AM
Ah, bittersweet. Kids shouldn't be subjected to such potentially vicious selectivity at such tender ages.
Matt Paust
February 15, 2011 09:25 AM
Tink--thanks.

Out on a Limb--one of my least favorite holidays, even if I'm happily married.

mamoore--I didn't realize that about our kids. I've had a lot of "lasts" this year as elementary school winds down.

Joanie--I wish I could make it easier. I wish I could make them both less awkward. Sadly, they're following in my shoes on that score.

dirndl skirt--I think you're right about the "weirdo" but it hurts for now.

matt--unfortunately we do it to each other all our lives, kids are just much more open about it.
froggy
February 15, 2011 09:45 AM
Oh, this WAS bittersweet. I loved the ending of a family enjoying quality time together! Very special!

I'm glad Valentine's Day isn't made such a fuss of in schools here in Australia.
Little Kate
February 15, 2011 01:34 PM