Happy Mother’s Day

This is a photo of me looking out at the water—and daydreaming, no doubt. This pool was the largest body of water I knew of at this age. Later, I’d swim in rivers (mostly), lakes, and even quarries. I was ten before I ever saw an ocean
When I was a child I wanted to be a pirate. Children that grow up in the mountains, like me, have romantic ideas about the sea and those connected to it. My parents wanted me to go to college. From the day was born, they put money away for my education. Although there are clown colleges and Mafia apprenticeships; license requirements for bounty hunters and snake milkers, there is no Pirate Prep.
My father wanted to be a sailor. He joined the Navy, but he was stationed in Cleveland. It’s my good fortune that he gave up his dream, went roller skating, and met my mother. I’m not sure my mother had time to dream. Her father died and she had to quit school, go to work, and help raise three younger siblings. She cut hair for a while and then she became a “homemaker,” which is historically a highly revered occupation in China—so I’ve been told.
Later in life, I learned that I was prone to sea-sickness. I should have known this because I also suffered from car-sickness. Perhaps I’m not devious enough to be a pirate anyway. Some things were never meant to be.
I’ve had many jobs: babysitter, sales girl, factory worker, waitress, social worker, office assistant, teaching assistant, teacher, tribal art cataloger (I did make some use of my education). I’ve even been paid for some of my fantasies—as a writer. Ultimately, I became a mother—insert bragging. Insert quirky stories about otherwise clever, hard-working, endearing children and grands, stories that prove they’re human and occasionally fallible. Surprisingly, this was my most successful undertaking.
I can not take complete credit for their successes. There were teachers, friends and relatives with positive influence and my husband, Howie. I will take credit for their sense-of-humor but, honestly, I think I’ve learned more from them than all my education, jobs and experience.
When a grown-up asks a child what she wants to be when she grows up, she can’t say “a pirate.” Sometimes I’d say “wise.” I didn’t think to say “happy,” but even in the worst of times, I am —though a bit guilty about it. Arrrrr…