Last night, my teen, in her best teen anguish voice, said, “Why can’t you be medium?”
Huh?
“You’re either acting like a six year old or you’re hovering like a granny. Why can’t you just be medium?”
I thought her complaint/request was the funniest thing I had ever heard. I laughed and laughed. That made her mad, mad, mad. So I gulped back my chuckles until all that remained of my mirth was a wee smile, a wry smile, perhaps a Mona Lisa smile.
Onlookers have wondered for years about what caused that wisp of a smile on Mona Lisa’s face. Perhaps she, too, had a complaint/request from a family member. “Why can’t you be more bland?”
And so she smiled because she was delighted she wasn’t.
Hi Lindsey! Our daughters must be about the same age! (14?) My daughter often tells me how weird I am. But usually with a smile. 🙂
What are you up to these days? I can still hardly believe two years have gone by and you’ve graduated from VCFA with your MFA!! Are you writing madly now?
and re: the Mona Lisa – her smile might also be because they say she is a self-portrait of Leonardo …
Yup two years zoomed by. Remember that if you ever want to start something big and scary like going back to school. It will be over before you know it.
And yes I am writing somewhat madly although, putting my life back in order post grad school is getting some needed attention as well.
I’d read that her smile was his smile which makes me smile. I can hear someone saying to Leonardo, “Why can’t you just paint a normal self portrait?” The wry smile through the ages…
Take care.
L2