Advice from Mom
By Rita Lessard
For the first week in June, I had the pleasure of babysitting my granddaughter Katie, age seven, and my grandson Christopher, who will be 17 on June 26. My main charge was the seven year old, but I was responsible to keep an eye on Christopher also.
Before my daughter-in-law left, she told me to keep a look out for activities that could arise with the appearance of Christopher’s girlfriend; it was a big job, but I figured I was up to the challenge.
The first night I met the girlfriend was quite uneventful as they watched TV under the seven-year-old’s supervision. I wasn’t really concerned as my grandson assured me that the girl wasn’t his girlfriend, but rather a friend who happened to be a girl. I think the sweet little girl thought differently, considering the way she clung to him like a coat two sizes too small. Girls are probably more romantic and slightly clingier. Christopher’s a sweet and handsome guy so he will probably have quite a few “friends” before he settles down. He’s only 17 so he’s got a while to go. I hope he doesn’t break too many hearts along the way.
Maybe times have changed. I remember when I was young and available that if a guy held your hand, he was yours. I recall going out with this very handsome guy a couple of times and then I ditched him. My mother almost broke out in a rash when she found out, she said, “For heaven’s sake, Rita, why did you ditch that lovely guy, Bob? He seemed so respectable.”
My reply was, “Of course he is mom, he’s thrifty, doesn’t drink or smoke, has a very steady job, a very lovely wife and three well-behaved children.” Call me crazy. Such a catch.
With another fellow I met, I told him I wasn’t looking to get involved with any one particular guy at the time.
“Lucky for you, Rita,” he said, “I’m not exactly known for being particular.” Another rash for mom. Lucky Tom came along and solved the problem for both of us.
I was talking to a young person the other day who told me she had two boyfriends. I thought that was irregular, but she explained to me that her first boyfriend complained that she wasn’t affectionate enough so she picked up a second one. I guess that’s alright because, as my grandson says, they’re just friends who happen to be girls or boys.
A while ago, I asked a friend why she married her husband despite the fact that they didn’t seem to have too much in common. She agreed, but noted that opposites attract. “I was pregnant,” she said, “and he wasn’t.”
Humour fix
Here’s a joke my friend Frank told me:
A doctor and his wife were having a big argument at breakfast. “You aren’t so good in bed either,” he shouted, and stormed off to work. By mid-morning, he decided he had better make amends and phoned home. After many rings, his wife picked up the phone.
“What took you so long to answer the phone?”
“I was in bed,” she said.
“What were you doing in bed this late?”
To which she answered, “Getting a second opinion.”
Some people say marriage is nature’s way of keeping people from fighting with strangers. Quite true. Good luck to all the people who are getting married this year.
Happy birthday to Christopher (17 on June 26), Will (4 on June 26), Connie (June 30), Olivia (16 on July 1).