Other Family Matters:  I was busy today with other family matters and called our daughter early this evening to catch up. She didn’t pick up on her cell so I called the apartment phone and her staff person told me of their day, which included a movie about a dolphin who lost its tail, a walk, and the welcomed return of her apartment-mate. As I was ending the call, while on a drive back from NYC, I said, “If she (our daughter) wants to speak with me, fine, if not, no problem. We can catch up later.”

Busy and Blunt: Staff do not quite believe I mean that. They asked our daughter if she wished to speak to me and she replied “No, I am busy with something.” Uncomfortable, they asked her again and she repeated the phrase. “So you will call her later?” Nothing. Finally the lady gives up and returns to our conversation. And I say, “It’s fine, she doesn’t need to speak to me.” And I mean it. She’s busy, blunt and by the way, I am not offended.

Good night.

P.S. Just as I was finishing the post, my cell rang twice. Yep, the daughter called to tell me the tale of the dolphin, a boy, a veteran who was wounded, and a sad story that ended well. When she is ready to share, she does so beautifully, on her terms. A tale ended well.

©Jill Edelman, M.S.W., L.C.S.W. 2011