The following is an exact reproduction of an email my 18-year-old sister sent me yesterday. It nearly made me weep; for how smart, sensitive and talented she is, and how fucking clueless my parents remain.
Mom did this
went to my play
made the STAGEMANGER and the HOUSEMANAGER come into the dressing room RIGHT AWAY after the show and come get me.
THRUSTS flowers in my face and says
HERECANWEGONOW?
these girls who heard her started laughing. I was very miserable. I was expecting her to say how good I was or how funny it was, and then we would all go out to dinner for her birthday.
She and Dad went straight home.
I finished getting dressed and took my makeup off
and walked back to my car
alone
in the dark.
When I got home Dad told me she had said "I can see why Rachel thought I wouldn't like it"
Why must it be this way?
At least she came
I would rather she didn't come at all than come and act put out by it.
It WAS a very good play
She should be proud
I am proud of it.
Dad didn't say much
When I encouraged him to talk to me about it he said some good stuff.
I was pleased with his performance.
Mom sucked. She did not perform well.
I think that I had much higher expectations of her.
I need a hug.
plus my flowers sucked. I can tell she just grabbed the first thing she saw.
I haven't been writing much, but I've been very productive. I've been reading lots of books, and knitting (a mitten a day keeps Christmas panic at bay). And I feel wonderful, thanks to JUMPING UP AND DOWN! If you are even moderately considering getting more exercise, and have $25 to spare, run to Sears and get a little trampoline. Then go home, get someone who loves you (and is good at assembling things) to put it together for you, and put your favorite music on and JUMP!
