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I am glad I was sitting sipping coffee while reading this...so well told.
I can just see allthose little faces pressed to the windows wanting to get out and play.
posted by
Kabu
on March 15, 2010 at 2:05 PM
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Darson
This is such a wonderful story and told so well. I feel like I am sitting listening to you. You have a way of showing how very much you have grown by seeing things other than just how you were used to doing things. God bless you dear one.
posted by
Justi
on March 15, 2010 at 6:06 AM
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Darson - How interesting the way people think and live out their feelings. Wonderful writing as usual. Thank you for the visit and I am happy you could relate because that is what I hope for my poems to do. Have a nice sunday.
posted by
shobana
on March 14, 2010 at 3:23 AM
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I love the way you tell the tale. I can see a carload full of the entire
family rushing out of the car into some unsuspecting host lol its really very funny. I think this would make a great movie. I remember as a kid my uncle showed up in my house with his 5 kids lol perhaps my mother was a bit exhausted, but I had a great time with them. They stayed for 6 months lol, i am so laughing at this scene. Boy did you have a great life. :), and no it was not your fault that auntie died.
posted by
Tzippy
on March 13, 2010 at 10:43 PM
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You have had had some memorable visits there. They have made for some interesting times, I am sure.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on March 13, 2010 at 8:07 PM
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I'm amazed how people are not sensitive to the hosts' feelings about visit
posted by
Straightforward
on March 13, 2010 at 5:44 PM
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Nautikos
Father did not get along with others well, but he was always too concerned with his image to notice. He still has no clue, and views himself as a Very Important Person in his community. I cannot repeat what some other community members think of him. He ruffles many feathers and makes many waves....but is completely and utterly... unaware. Which, in a weird way, has a certain ironic humor to it. Hence, the "Wow, aren't you glad I'm HERE???" stance while doing a surprise visit. He would not be able to comprehend how much that repels people. An interesting bird, that one.
posted by
Darson
on March 13, 2010 at 5:32 PM
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Azur
Thank you. Imagine my surprise at learning 'The Rest of the Story', twenty years later....that she (Aunt Ida) was ill, elderly....and DIED a week later. What was once a memory filled with kitties and fireflies became a guilt-ridden imposition on a distant relative....oh, yeah, that's the kicker....she wasn't even a real aunt!!! She was something like a cousin a couple of times removed. Not even blood related enough to be obligated, in my opinion. An even stranger twist, now that I think on it....! Sheesh!
posted by
Darson
on March 13, 2010 at 5:28 PM
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LLM
I'm the same way. I try not to be rude, and I LOVE company. But if it's time for bed, or I'm not feeling well, I will tell them...and maybe make plans for another time, if the friendship warrants that.
posted by
Darson
on March 13, 2010 at 5:26 PM
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adnohr
The loneliest year I ever had was when we lived out in the country and had a really mean Rottweiller dog....NO ONE ever came over. So, if you're not into company, this is certainly the way to go. Granted that it might not have been fair to have our parent's blamed, but like I said, common sense would suggest that you not impose on two elderly folk who were prone to being the ultimate hosts...at the ultimate cost....! Take yer kid home, people!
posted by
Darson
on March 13, 2010 at 5:24 PM
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Pat B
You are very perceptive, Pat...I had not thought of this, but I am sure you're right. I believe that he did so (the burning of bridges) not only with the relatives, but within communities and church groups as well...he treated everyone the same...as 'humble' servants, there to serve him. It's that Ego thing, again...chronic Egoism.
posted by
Darson
on March 13, 2010 at 5:22 PM
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sam444
I do think Aunt Ida was a very dear lady, but because of her good breeding she would never have been one to say 'no' or turn down a guest. I hope she gets whatever amazing reward is waiting in Heaven for such service.... What I suspect, however, was that the visit was a whim of Father's and not particularly necessary. Just a Murphy's Law sort of thing that Hildy would get so sick right there during what was meant to be a brief visit. Common sense, had that been my kid, would've been to get her back home and not inconvenience anyone. Hildy was prone to getting coughs all the time, this was nothing new. She had asthma...and, come to think of it, we were right out in the middle of a pasture with lots of pollen and dust so no wonder that cough acted right up...! What she needed was to GO HOME.
posted by
Darson
on March 13, 2010 at 5:20 PM
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Darson
To me, this is a real horror story, particularly frightful because you've told it so well - and I don't think your Dad and I would have got along very well...
posted by
Nautikos
on March 13, 2010 at 3:50 PM
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Very powerfully described Darson
posted by
Azur
on March 13, 2010 at 1:35 PM
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That's horrible, Darson! I can't stand people who do that. Anyone who knocked on my door would be most welcome to visit, but only for as long as I had the energy. Once I get tired, it's out you go. Not that I'm rude, but I have to take my energy levels into serious consideration.
Somehow, I don't think your father would like me very much.
posted by
lovelyladymonk
on March 13, 2010 at 12:29 PM
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People don't often just 'drop in' at my place. Granted - my home is out of the way for most folks, and there's 2 pit-bulls running around loose outside....
Your dad was not right, of course, but I'm not convinced that the family should blame you for your aunt's death. After all, her age was already there, and I'm sure your mom and the rest of you helped out too by tending the sick child. I enjoyed the way you told the story. Keep writing!
posted by
adnohr
on March 13, 2010 at 9:06 AM
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I hate it when someone drops in that way.
I'll give 'em a cup of coffee and a cookie. But I'm not cooking meals or traipsing up and down stairs to tend their sick kid. Your dad must have burned a lot of bridges for you...
posted by
Pat_B
on March 13, 2010 at 7:19 AM
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Your aunt did what made her happy! To place blame on anyone is strictly unfair for we do not know how long we are here! sam
posted by
sam444
on March 13, 2010 at 2:52 AM
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