Swim, ride a bike or dance.
My mother suffered with her nerves, she visited the Dr who suggested she get pregnant. This seems to have been a common suggestion in the 1950's
My mother complied but unfortunately once I was born she realised this was not the panacea she had hoped for. So she got a job and I went to a childminder. I don't remember the child minder but I do remember going to work with my mother on a regular basis.
I'm not sure that having me was the hoped for cure-all and she continued to suffer. For this reason I was not allowed to learn swim. Mother reasoned that if learned to swim I'd go into water and drown. I was not allowed to ride a bike either, because if I learned to ride of go out with other children and get run over.
The only children I was allowed to mix with were a brother and sister who lived a few doors away. This wasn't an ideal situation as I was regularly sexually assaulted by the father of these children!
As for dancing, I have two left feet and can no more dance than I can fly.
I do have some skills, I can cook, with or without a recipe, I can sew, knit and crochet but not very well now as I can't see properly.
9 comments:
Some women should not have children.
I won't be alone in saying straight away that you do have skills, remarkable survival skills and are not just surviving but thriving in your own way.
In spite of everything you maintain an objective and independent view of it all and have carved out a way of life that gives you what you need, personally.
I'm not saying its everything you need, not by a long way, but with what lemons you have been given you've made a very passable lemonade.
I have never commented before , but, I felt I just had to say. You have so many skills that are much more precious. Tolerance , compassion and forgiveness to name but a few. Qualities many don't understand or have.
Plus you love dogs, which makes you special in my eyes.
Regards Tish.
You are doing incredibly well despite the many disadvantages in your early life! You’re a survivor at top level and I’m sure many who read your blog agree! Have a great summer. Kindest regards x
You have been through a lot but you sure know how to keep going no matter what. Wishing you peace.
I don't do lots of things - Now at almost a pensioner I'm not bothered - I choose what matters to me - even if insignificant to an onlooker - My mum and grandma suffered with their nerves - Apparently I did too - I knew lots of people who used to speak of it when I was a child x
What everyone else said, plus, you are a very talented writer! x
That was a courageous post. We heard it a lot when I was young, getting married and having a baby were expounded as the great cure all to women’s medical and emotional problems.
Girls who were abused were silenced by fear and shame, and if they spoke out they were told they were liars, blamed, or punished.
I can’t swim, can barely dance, hopefully I can still ride a bike altho it’s been 20 years since I’ve tried.
But pls give yourself credit, you have a huge talent at writing, and swimming thru the difficulties of life as an older woman. I enjoy reading your blog.
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