I remember how exciting it was when my children first learned to talk.
And when they were little, I spent countless hours reading to them. I feel sure this is one reason they all possess good grammar and writing skills.
But how could I have anticipated that one of my daughters would someday use her powers of communication to publicly malign me?
When Managing Editor Frank DeLoache was looking for a 20-something columnist who could write for the Salisbury Post, I suggested my daughter, Abigail. She had recently been an intern for our Lifestyle department, and had just completed her degree in English.
How did she reward me for helping her get this gig? By writing a column titled “My meddling mom.” Perhaps you saw it in the March 1 edition.
In it, she claims I am an overzealous matchmaker and that since her older and younger sisters are already in what she calls “serious, sustainable relationships,” all of my energies have become focused on helping my middle child find the perfect man.
I take issue with the term “meddling,” a negative word which indicates that I interfere. I am not a meddler, I am a facilitator. That’s because I get good results.
In her column, Abigail told about the time I wrote a note to a young man and signed my youngest daughter’s name to it. She tells it like that’s a bad thing.
I knew he was the perfect guy for my daughter, but neither of them was doing anything about it.
Maybe they would have figured out eventually what I already knew, but I decided to accelerate the process. Life is too short to waste time.
I would never falsify my daughter’s signature without a very good reason. I forged out of love. And they have been dating for over a year now.
Meddling? I think not.
So that story was true. But then Abigail went on to make it sound like I am an incorrigible yenta who has been dragging her around to concerts and band interviews and promoting her merits to young eligible musicians in an effort to snare one.
I thought we were just enjoying mother-daughter bonding time while going to concerts and meeting interesting people. True, I would point out some gentlemen who were particularly interesting, in case she hadn’t noticed.
And yes, I have been gladly paying for her tickets and cover charges, a situation she has shamelessly taken advantage of.
Now she is dating a fine, handsome musician, someone she met when she tagged along with me on an interview with his band.
Maybe mother knows best after all.
Right? Of course right.Contact Sarah Hall at shall@salisburypost.com or 704-797-4271.