My mom is a university professor.� She is also Mikey and Nico’s “Bu” (pronounced Boo), which is short for abuela, the Spanish word for grandmother.� (I assume everyone already knows this, but 8 weeks ago I discovered I was one of three people on earth who didn’t know Christian fiction existed so, maybe not?)
Bu is always babysitting, buying treats, and making the boys food I would never let them eat, and, frankly, the boys were getting a wee bit comfortable with the idea that she was put on this earth to satisfy their every whim.� We decided that Friday would be the perfect time to take them to the university and show them she has an existence beyond feeding them raviolis and oreo cookies.
Fact: The day my mom leaves the house without wearing a blazer, scarf, and 2 inch heels is the day the earth counter-rotates.
So we made the trek and climbed up the stairs to her office. Some faster than others.
Some of us were so fast that their mother had to call up the stairwell and say, “Second floor, buddy. Second floor.”
I was pleased to reach my mom’s office and see that her office, no matter the decade or university, continues to reflect her personal style: Hyperbaric Chamber with a touch of Old World panache.
I didn’t have the heart to tell her that the notebook in her in box was 32.56 degrees off center. She was just too tickled to show off her digs to the boys, and they were equally enthralled.
In every office, in every home, and in every purse there is a rosary. They will forever remind me of my mom. One day I won’t have her to tease or pull my hair out over, and I am confident the sight of one will cause me to burst into tears spontaneously.� The same goes for books with black plastic binders stored horizontally.
I remember visiting my dad’s office as a child and being very taken with the knick-knacks on display. They all seemed very important, like awards bestowed upon you when you became an adult. Also bestowed upon you: taxes and a mortgage.
If I had an office in the trees, I doubt I would get much work done. I would, however, would be quite knowledgeable on the local bird population.
The trip was short. After so many years teaching, hanging out in hallowed halls has lost much of its allure for my mom. But I think, overall, the boys had a great time and left with much to think about. Chiefly: where’s Bu taking us for lunch?
Thank you so for taking us alongwith you … I do so love a good field trip. And sunshine. My grandma was an elementary school teacher in the good old days. I remember going to an interview once and the lady asked if I was related to a Helen who use to teach second grade. I was so excited – an instant connection! Oh, yes, I said, she’s my grandmother. “She taped my mouth shut.” Aaahh … well …
“Hyperbaric Chamber with a touch of Old World panache” HILARIOUS.
Mikey looks like he may be a future professor himself!
Ahhh, in graduate school we gave such grief to our professors. Thankfully, there are little ones to make those days sweeter.
I love the fact that the books are horizontal!
What a treasure you mom is for you and your boys. Priceless. Thanks for the descriptions and laughs.
I absolutely love this narrative — so rich with family, memories, laughter and photos that speak volumes.
So much to love here, but, my favorite line:
“Fact: The day my mom leaves the house without wearing a blazer, scarf, and 2 inch heels is the day the earth counter-rotates.”
Thanks, Jules. I almost spit out my coffee on that one.
One of my favorite posts! You have such a way with words. I totally loved it. Of course since I’m so morbid it made me sad as well thinking of a day when my mom won’t be around. Ah you made me laugh and cry. :)
well if I weren’t half Spanish and didn’t know abuela means Grandmother, I would know it from watching Handy Manny :) Such a nice post. thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the fun post!
Handy Manny! That’s right. :) You know, there is a character on that show named Julieta and I think she is from Argentina. I always feel like a bit of a celebrity when I hear the name.
is there something wrong with the books being horizontal? please tell me there isn’t.
that is the way 96% of our bookshelves are.
Of course not! It’s just something my mom does. She has always stored books on the horizontal so it reminds me of her. I could tell which office in the hall was hers just by the books…and the perfectly aligned knick-knacks on the windowsill.
Oh too much on the the book being askew, hah! That last photo? Hilarious.
This post was so much fun to read in my reader. Considering I am still thinking about it, perhaps I should comment, huh?
I always have to remind myself that my family doesn’t know German, so throwing in German phrases for “grandma” and such don’t work. I’m an American in Germany. It’s funny how a cultural piece of language that is every day for us isn’t that way for others… just like your Spanish experiences. Very cool!
katie
such a fun post! love the idea of showing the boys that grandma has a life! my boys think the same thing about my mom–that she is there to say “yes” to everything. she’s retired and watches them after school most weekdays, so the are kind of right! i’ll have to come up with something that she can share with them that shows her other dimensions. thanks for the idea!!