–noun, plural -ties.
sure, the technical definition explains what the word means, but this past weekend, i learned what it felt like.
it was in the way my friends listened long enough for me to run out of silly stories and get down to what was really on my mind. it was in the way my parents drove 10+ total hours for me with a couch blocking the rear view window. it was in the way they continued to look forward, reminding me of the good parts to come. it was in the way the hand-me-downs from my siblings filled up my new apartment. it was in the way my parents opened their wallets. it was in the way my parents, despite their achy knees and backs, lifted and scrubbed and swept and knelt and stood and cleaned and cleaned and cleaned. it was in the way they said “we’re so lucky to see you two weekends in a row” even though this weekend was all about work. it was in the way they pointed out the positive features and ignored the drippy sinks and loose screws. it was in the way the hours slid by, past their desired departure time, but they stayed until i was steady on my feet. it was in the way the smiles were stuck on their faces. it was in the way they squeezed me goodbye – so tight – despite having muscles exhausted from hours of physical labor.
sometimes, to really understand something, you can’t read about it. you must live it.
here’s to living. on my own. (ready or not.)
my mumblings 
May 3, 2011 at 8:45 am |
You’re ready! And it will be great, and you will love it!
May 3, 2011 at 9:48 am |
you and pebbsie are the first part of this, so thanks again for rocking my world.
May 7, 2011 at 7:13 pm |
woowooooooooo
May 7, 2011 at 11:34 pm |
:)
and p.s. your current name reminds me of the garbage pail kids. remember them?
May 3, 2011 at 9:24 am |
Aww. You have such a great family! And you are going to rock at being on your own. (Which you’re not, in spirit. Your friends and family are still right there for you whenever you need them.)
Think of having your own place as a privacy upgrade. ;)
May 3, 2011 at 11:08 am |
a privacy upgrade. i love that. it is indeed.
and yes, my peeps are always there to support me, fortunately!
May 3, 2011 at 11:25 am |
I can’t really imagine a better, or more appropriate way, to start off your new life. Cheers to you.
May 3, 2011 at 11:33 am |
*unpacks box* *unwraps champagne flute* *lifts glass* thanks and CHEERS to you, too!
May 3, 2011 at 11:33 am |
Awww! I’m tearing up! That was lovely.
May 3, 2011 at 11:34 am |
thanks, patty! i was a bit teary eyed while living and then writing it!
May 3, 2011 at 11:38 am |
What a freaking beautiful post. I love your parents already. And good luck to a new chapter in life! (See what I did there? Chapter. WRITING!)
May 3, 2011 at 11:45 am |
aww, thanks for the compliment and the witty word play, you triple threat, you.
May 3, 2011 at 7:36 pm |
So this means that you have a PLACE for me to STAY if I ever came to visit Boston? I do have parents in DC now, and a good friend spending the summer at Harvard for comp lit classes… (also, AW parents!)
May 3, 2011 at 10:52 pm |
Absolutely! But you could have stayed at my other place too. Seriously. Think of the brainstorming we could do!
May 3, 2011 at 9:24 pm |
Good luck and how lovely to have people in your life like that!
May 3, 2011 at 10:51 pm |
I am lucky indeed!
May 5, 2011 at 6:54 am |
That was a generous response by you to your parents giving to you. it works both ways – generosity breeds generosity. Love, Grandpa
May 5, 2011 at 9:05 am |
they certainly do lead by example!