Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Progeny

Something extra-ordinary happened while I was out of town, kissing my weekend away. My son and daughter talked with one another. The talking, in and of itself, is not that extra-ordinary. They talk all the time. They are two talkers, those kids of mine.

She usually says something like, “you are such a nerd” in rebuttal to one of his many stories. He usually says something to the tune of, “why do you talk like that?” in abject horror to one of hers. A healthy disdain for one another’s style seems to be the common glue holding them together.

I kid. My son admires his sister’s spirit and verve. My daughter, in turn, admires her brother’s talent and drive. Shhh…don’t tell them I know or that I told.

Yet, like many sibling sets they get a charge out of getting a rise out of each other and enjoy rousing bouts of good-natured teasing. One of my very deliberate acts and goals as a parent was to foster a good relationship between these two. I wanted them to be friends. I wanted them to be able to count on each other. I wanted them to have the relationship I couldn’t, didn’t, don’t share with my brothers.

This past weekend, while I was away, they talked. Really talked. True to their routines, understanding their respective roles, they kidded each other often. I know this because they each told me their own versions of their weekend exploits. Yet, somewhere in there, some real talking took place.

Late last night, very early this morning, my daughter, in the midst of telling me one thousand things, said, “You know what, that guy. (pointing at her brother’s bedroom door) is a great guy. He’s very smart and very insightful. He helped me a lot.” I did know.

Still, you could have knocked me over with a feather. Seriously.

They are two talkers, my son and my daughter. I’m so glad they talk with each other almost as much as they talk with me.





12 comments:

  1. Wow, it seems they're ahead of the curve. I'm still waiting to have that breakthrough moment with my brother (44).

    —Scout (39)

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  2. It took them how long?

    I ask so that I'll know when my two kids will act nicely to one another.

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  3. Cool kids, cooler story. :)

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  4. What an important lesson to teach them. Isn't it great to see a project turn out the way you'd hoped? ;)

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  5. FABULOUS!!

    I finally started appreciating my brother & talking with him more in college.

    It IS a real gift. Esp after our parents passed.

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  6. It is wonderful that you had the awareness to teach them to be good friends.

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  7. Anonymous7:41 AM

    They'll need each other when mom starts spending more time with her GLFs. Mwahahahaha.

    Sounds like your daughter, in particular, learned a lot this past weekend.

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  8. Anonymous1:04 PM

    That's a sweet story. I love it when my kids "connect". It's usually just a fleeting thing at their age but I am hoping that as they get older they will have some admiration and respect for each other.

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  9. this warms my heart. because we have experienced the same thing.
    our son and daughter are close (tho 8 years apart) and we just love to hear about it when they do that whole 'talking' ...really talking thing.

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  10. It all comes full circle, if you've done it right. Seems you have. And, you got some good kissing in to boot. Numinous weekend, I'm thinking.

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  11. My sister is one of my dearest friends. Your two are fortunate to have each other.

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