So I manage a bar. Last night i closed and didn't get home until a after 4am so my day is definitely shifted from a normal day. I had promised to call my mom this afternoon/evening. I got called to come into work and i failed to call my mom today.
I found out yesterday evening from a phone call with my brother that he will be deployed to Iraq/hostile regions sometime this summer. To me I think of this as part of his job description. Don't get me wrong...this isn't good news, and i'm not thrilled with it. But I have to accept it. It's a volunteer military that my brother has been very successful in; early promotions, top job choices, etc. He volunteered to extend his time because he likes it. I'm happy for him. I'm proud of him.
Tonight after working my extra shift I checked my voice mail sometime after midnight and my mom left me a message saying how disappointed she was that I didn't call her today. She said she wished I had called to be supportive. Now she's a mother she over reacts. This news is still 3 months down the line. Keep it in perspective, right?
But then a horrible thought hit me. I felt insensitive. Not just the "oh the flakey son forgot to call his mom" insensitive. But more. My mom lost her father to shell shock from World War II. I never met him. It's not something I think about ever. Hell, my mom hardly knew him. But she basically raised her younger brother and sister. So she definitely felt his absense. And she even made up for it. She's one of the most patient, generous, and forgiving people I've ever known...And I like to believe that I take after her even one half. And my friends will attest to these traits in me. But I have never thought of my brother's job in the context of my mother losing her father. And for that, I feel just...uhhgg. Aweful. It's just a phone call. But I suddenly know my mother better by not calling her.
Thank you for listening.
*fells sick and humbled.*
I found out yesterday evening from a phone call with my brother that he will be deployed to Iraq/hostile regions sometime this summer. To me I think of this as part of his job description. Don't get me wrong...this isn't good news, and i'm not thrilled with it. But I have to accept it. It's a volunteer military that my brother has been very successful in; early promotions, top job choices, etc. He volunteered to extend his time because he likes it. I'm happy for him. I'm proud of him.
Tonight after working my extra shift I checked my voice mail sometime after midnight and my mom left me a message saying how disappointed she was that I didn't call her today. She said she wished I had called to be supportive. Now she's a mother she over reacts. This news is still 3 months down the line. Keep it in perspective, right?
But then a horrible thought hit me. I felt insensitive. Not just the "oh the flakey son forgot to call his mom" insensitive. But more. My mom lost her father to shell shock from World War II. I never met him. It's not something I think about ever. Hell, my mom hardly knew him. But she basically raised her younger brother and sister. So she definitely felt his absense. And she even made up for it. She's one of the most patient, generous, and forgiving people I've ever known...And I like to believe that I take after her even one half. And my friends will attest to these traits in me. But I have never thought of my brother's job in the context of my mother losing her father. And for that, I feel just...uhhgg. Aweful. It's just a phone call. But I suddenly know my mother better by not calling her.
Thank you for listening.
*fells sick and humbled.*
where is renton?