Too Much of a not so Good Thing, or, ENOUGH, ALREADY

I’m on holiday this week. For you entertainment, here’s one I drafted up a couple of months ago but never posted:

In the summer, the children are to arrive already lathered up with sunscreen. Saves me having to do five or more of them, and, since it’s had time to be absorbed, it’s effective the moment they walk through the door. No half-hour waits while it takes effect.

However, a quick sniff and discreet rub of Katie’s wee arm tells me there is no sunscreen on the girl. Just to confirm, I ask dad. “She wearing suncreen today?” He launches into a long and repetitive apology.

“Sorrysorrybusysorrysorry, sorrysorryforgotsorrysorry, soooorrrry.”

I attempt to reassure. And stem the flow. “No need to apolo-”

“Sorrysorrysorrydisorganizedsorrysorrysorry…”

” -gize. I just need to know whether -”

“Sorrysorrysorrystupidsorrysorrysorrdon’tknowhowsorry”

“- whether I need to put some on her before we go out, is all.”

“Sorrysorrysorrysorrysorrycrazymorningsorrysorrysorrysorry.”

“No, really -”

“Sorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorry…”

” – really, it’s okay.” I turn my attention to Katie, hoping that will deflect dad. “We’ll just put some on now, won’t we, lovie?” Big smile for Katie. I glance up at dad, hoping to draw him into the conversation, but he is undeflectable.

“Sorrysorrysorrysorrysorry.”

“Oh, stop it!! Grovelling does not become you. And will you quit interrupting me and LISTEN?” No, no I didn’t say that, of course. More’s the pity.

I know he’s apologizing, but why do I feel like I’m the one being given a hard time here?

© 2006, Mary P

Brace Yourself

I found this post a few weeks ago, and it took my breath away. It’s a tough read, and if you’re in the early weeks of your pregnancy, you might want to wait a while to read it. But it’s an amazing post.