(day #2 of: 5 days/5 photos/5 stories)
"There is light at the end of every tunnel.
Some tunnels just happen to be longer than others."
-Ada Adams
"And Then There Was Light"
Lost, somewhere in New York City
Five hours in the car with a teen who was displaying her temperamental side. And doing a very good job at it, I might add. Hour three into the drive while navigating thru New York City, and one answer with 'tude too many from her...I was gonna blow. And I did. I can insert here, all the many times and stories I've told my Things that begin with "When I was a kid if I EVERRRRRRRR talked to my parents that way!" Let's just say they all end with the fact that IF I did, my Things certainly wouldn't be here to talk to me like that TODAY. But I was saying it much louder than usual, and with some impressive arm gestures. I know I added a few additional grays to my head, and morphed a few laugh lines into major stress wrinkles.
Somewhere in the midst of "mom vs. Thing" (aka the Battle for Supremacy), the GPS decided to not be assertive. I'm confident he was too scared to raise his voice to me. Next thing I knew I looked at our surroundings and realized hey we aren't in NYC anymore, Toto. How had the Better Half not noticed? It wasn't like HE was involved in the confrontation as he kept his eyes firmly planted forward and his mouth shut. We had crossed the wrong bridge and were traipsing without focus thru New Jersey. We were lost. A metaphor to be sure. Not sure which was the more apt metaphor, being lost...or being lost in Jersey. So around we turned, back over the nameless bridge and back into NYC in search of the elusive George Washington Bridge. There was now only silence in the car. AND the sound of the Phillies game on the radio, losing again. Man this day is just chockful of metaphors.
We drove on. Into a tunnel, and into the darkness. It was fitting. And then? Light. Brilliant light shining in from the other side. Hey, if I am gonna rag on Jersey as a metaphor, I sure as heck am gonna acknowledge the light at the end of the tunnel.
The teen years. Somehow I don't remember my first two go-arounds being quite as "intense" as this last one. Sometimes it seems like one long freakin' tunnel we are venturing thru. No rest stops. No detours. No rest for the weary. Oh, and a LOT of toll booths. It's EXPENSIVE! But truth is, I wouldn't have it any other way because despite the passengers in my vehicle and the 'tudes that occur...I wouldn't trade them. I might loan them out, but I wouldn't trade them. One of these days, I'm sure I'm going to look back and miss these years and this tunnel...even the arguments and the arm gestures (my only upper body workout these days).
Because I have travelled this road before, I do know there is light at the end this particular tunnel. And, we are certainly getting closer to it. But dang, I sure could use a GPS that speaks louder to help keep me heading in the right direction. And a Phillies win wouldn't hurt either.
I guess most of us are destined to live through this dance from both sides in our lives :)
ReplyDeleteMersad
Mersad Donko Photography
oh boy do I ever feel your pain. I raised 2 daughters of my own and 2 step-daughters..plus 1 step-son. It was no fun....really. I wouldn't go back there for all the money in the world. The saving grace is that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
ReplyDeleteSeparation, menapausal soon to be empty nester vs by heaven I am a grownup now ..... I resembled that about 50 years ago. Hug her a lot then let her go. The relationship will be all the better for it!
ReplyDeleteI well remember this time of life!
ReplyDeleteFirst, gorgeous shot! Second, mom vs thing...mom needs a hug and a glass of wine. We haven't hit the raucous years just yet, but as soon as the hormones got full force, I bet it will be on! Hang in there, Mama!
ReplyDeleteI am heading into that myself...and there are times I want to take advantage of the yellow school bus...but I know time is fleeting and I will be glad I had this (sometimes exasperating) time with her. Great shot!
ReplyDeleteI needed this tonight!
ReplyDeleteWhat a poignant post. Love the lights and the metaphor.
ReplyDeleteSuch a gorgeous picture and poignant post!
ReplyDeletethis too shall pass.... (and then you will remember it fondly...) xxx
ReplyDeleteMy gosh that's a gorgeous shot! Granted, there's good an bad with every stage and age, but you've reminded me how very far I am from the light at the end of the tunnel!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your story. I can remember those days too. Love the bokeh in the shot though - something always come from the bad if you wait long enough!
ReplyDeleteoh, honey, I felt your pain... And oh, do I remember those "good old days"! I survived! And you will, too! And I totally understand the silent partner situation. Always the knight in shining armor he is! And me, just the MEAN MOTHER. Yes, a few gray hairs, more wrinkles...I earned them all! Yet, I feel blessed. Hang in there, Kathy!
ReplyDeleteCount your "THING' blessings, and keep on, keeping on! Aloha!
Oh dear - lots of red wine, hugs and counting to 100! I was sitting next to you in that car ....
ReplyDeleteI might not should have, but I laughed. I apparently was so insufferable as a teenager that my mom told me to get out and not come back (I don't remember it being that awful). As always, great photos and great commentary. Thank you for joining us again this week for Photo Friday!
ReplyDeletelol! Love this post! I certainly remember those attitude days. Although, I think my grands have it way more than my kids did. Wondering if they are just born with it now days? But like you say, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Whenever we get on the wrong road I figure there must be something there I need to see. hee-hee! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
The worst of that tunnel for me was the 'get out of bed' fight. With both of them. Every stinkin' day. I feel like throwing something even thinking about it now! Then I calm down and tell myself....if that was the worst of it... It's nice to be back out in the light, with two in-tact young adults and close relationships all around!
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