Velma climbed out of Vesta’s Model A at the train station, leaving with mixed feelings. She would miss Vesta, and this was good – it meant the women’s rooming house had become home, and her pining for young urban days past could be put to rest.
Velma kissed Vesta on the cheek, grabbed her bagged new dress from the trunk and made her way into the station with nothing more than an overnight bag.
She’d squeezed into her bag a hostess gift for Scarlett. At the station in New York they’d hailed a cab and Velma unzipped her bag.
When she saw the custom glassware, Scarlett squealed. A little too loud, a little too long. The cabbie looked into the rearview mirror and hesitated in traffic. “I love them! Perfect for a late winter pick-me-up party!” Velma recognized Scarlett’s pre-party excitement, but wondered if there were more to her high spirits.
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About AngelaLTodd
I am queen of the helicopter parents. But there are enough of us that we are becoming a social problem. Here’s my story.
Thing 1 was coming, they couldn’t stop him, it was only 24 weeks and 3 days. Someone asked: should we try to save him? Well, yes. Yes! Ten days later, a team of doctors closed the door behind us to explain brain bleeds, sepsis, meningitis. Shall we pull the plug? Well, no. No!
Babydaddy laid hands on him every day, massaged him when he was ready. For the three months he was in intensive care, and the three weeks at an intermediate hospital, I would get up in the night and pump breast milk, thinking about my baby across town. Babydaddy delivered it every morning, earning the name “milkman.” It was funny.
We had every therapy going for as long as possible: early intervention, the intermediate unit, private therapies. Terms multiplied: sensory processing dysfunction, sensory integration problems, orally defensive, auditory sensitivities, comprehensive developmental delay, cognitive function impairment, retinopathy of prematurity. He did occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, play therapy; we consulted with a neurologist, school psychologist, wraparound service provider, developmental specialist. He worked with an occupational therapist for a year and a half to tolerate teeth and hair brushing.
Not surprisingly, parenting didn’t feel natural. I learned to read to my baby watching Phyllis, our physical therapist. Voices, commentary, labeling colors, counting… she was very good! Merging professional research skills with my genetic propensity for silliness (mom was class clown, dad’s distantly related to Lucille Ball), my mothering style came together. Eventually. But I still channel Phyllis on occasion.
Thing 2 was full term. They are complete opposites; she is a sensory seeker with a wild sense of adventure and an inventive sense of fashion. Keeping them both busy and happy is an exasperating and sweet challenge. I still believe that every day can be fun and educational while reinforcing kids' boundaries. I’m on a mission to save us helicopter parents from ourselves. No more bubble wrapped kids and guilty parents. Let’s teach them coping skills. Let’s get fun.
AngelLeighDesigns 
Love your writing! Makes me want to read more! Thanks for mentioning my glassware!
Thanks so much — I do love your shop,
good luck!
Angela