Inquisitrix

I can’t believe I am actually writing the second post in a day, let alone week - I just had a very good day and I wanted to document it.

My Mom is actually going through a very stressful period and is a bit sleep deprived. I told my sister in law that I was going to help her this afternoon and she told me that I was very ‘generous’. And then she said “bless you, Meliss”. Now, I am not religious as all, but anytime anyone says that to me, I feel all warm and fuzzy. Like my feng shui of my soul just improved a little bit. This may be too much information, but Rohan calls me ‘Schmoo”. I tell him I have good ‘Feng Schmoo”.

Anyhoo, when I got to my Mom’s office, we got fixed the issue she was having and then she went to print out a document for me - and fell asleep. Sitting in her chair. In front of her computer. In front of me. I poked her and said, “Grab your things, you are coming home with me for a nap”.

My father was in Chicago on business and was due back around 6pm-ish. Have I mentioned that she had been in her office since 4am? Yeah, my whole family has work/life balance issues. I like to say I inherited my bad habits. She was waiting around for him, she protested, and there was so much to do. Finally I told her that she wasn’t being productive and that I would make a scene if she uttered another peep. And I make GREAT scenes. I have a very loud voice and have set off alarms before. She paid for how many umpteen years of vocal lessons for me to LEAD US TO THIS VERY MOMENT. She said, okay, but only if I got her back to the office by 5:30pm. Because she just had to wait for my Dad and there was just so much to do. Right.

I put her on the couch, counted down 5 seconds for her to doze off, then sent my Dad a text and told him I had kidnapped Mom. And would he like to come for dinner? He said he would be there at 7pm. Mom woke up at 6:15pm. What time was it, she asked. I fibbed just a little and told her it was only 5pm and that she should go back to sleep. So she did.

My Dad arrived around 7pm and Mom woke up to a nice Orange Ginger Chicken and Shrimp Stir Fry, with brocolli, roasted red peppers and pine nuts. My mom woke up a little more refreshed and happy and hungry.

My parents both told me that they loved me and that I was ‘generous’. It is so nice to receive positive feedback. I think everyone can use more love, laughter and ‘bless yous’, every day. And I am not sure that I am necessarily being generous, but I know that they would be here for me if I needed them. That is what my family is all about. That is the best part of being back in the States, moments like these. Plus the leftovers are going to be *killer* tomorrow.