Perfect pressure
Sherri T.
I come honestly by my pressure to be perfect. Here’s why.
My mom cared deeply about her grandchildren. She tested them continually like lab rats, wanting to see the signs of healthy development.
Did they startle when she banged the door (on purpose)? Did they coo when she crooned? Did they chortle when she chuckled?
Check. Check. Check. So far, so great.
Then mom would administer the daily ‘are-you-a-good-mother?’ test. Did they eat their vegetables? Did they have their afternoon nap? Did they do their bathroom duty? Seriously too much information.
She needed to know whether they were on target with the markers for their age and stage. She was a pediatrician − even though she had only her MRS.
Yes, they held up their necks without support. Yes, they sat up on their own. Yes, they motored along. Yes, they pulled themselves up beside the table. Yes, yes, yes……….
And were they walking? At 12 months, she had started in earnest with the walk talk.
Did you say “walking”? Uh….. not so fast. Here we had a slight problem.
Dan was a strapping bruiser who was as wide as he was tall. Walking was not something that his chunky body could easily do.
“No, Mom. Dan is not walking.
“OH.” The big 300-pound OH.
“He’s 12 months and he’s not walking? OH.”
At 13 months, she repeated the question. But this time it also had a serious SO in front of it.
“SO, is Dan walking?”
“No, Mom. Dan is not walking.”
“OH.“ It sounded heavier and more ominous than before – definitely punching above its weight in letters.
14 months, 15 months. “No, Mom, Dan is still not walking.”
“OH.”
“Tell you what, Mom. When Dan starts walking, I will call you.” 16 months. 17 months. No walk. No talk.
Until one sunny day. 18 months. Dan pulled himself up beside the table and put one foot forward. Then another. Then the first. Leeeeefffftt rriiiiiggght. With great trepidation and ever so shaky, he was walking!!
I raced to the phone. “Guess what, Mom? Dan is WALKING!!!!!”
Total silence. Then her reply:
“Yes, but is he running?”