HIDING UNDERNEATH MY BED

Yes, I react to many things the same as a young child.

I'm scared of things I don't know anything about.

I drool when I see chocolate... heck, I drool if I THINK about chocolate.

And I'm frightened by loud noises.

This late afternoon, we had a severe thunderstorm that hung right over the roof of our house for about four days... at least it felt like four days.

So the dog, the cat and I hid under the blankets together and shook.

PULLING OUT THE VERY LAST TRICK

When people talk about talents, they generally are referring to something musical, like playing an instrument or singing - or physical attributes, such as being a strong basketball player, or running - and sometimes crocheting, sewing or making really good brownies.




When pressed, I will admit my one true talent.

I can put babies to sleep.



I honestly don't think it's really a talent - I just am an exceptionally boring person, and they just give up shortly after discovering that.

But I am a good person to give a fussy baby to during church services.

And so I do end up with one of the Campbell twins on my shoulder almost every Sunday.


Today, I literally got to the end of my rope.

My regular rocking wasn't taking hold.


The walking and rocking didn't either.

The walking, rocking and rhythmically shussing ... hmm, no.

Finally got to the very last one.

Singing the Mockingbird Song.

MY PERSONAL ADOLESCENT BEHAVIOR

I thought as you got older, it was automatic that maturity followed. You learned things, stopped doing the stupid ones, did all the good and right ones, and it all got easier and easier.

NOT.

At least not with me.

While my physical body is strictly adhering to the normal symptoms of middle-age (increasing body weight, shrinking height, stomach getting bigger and bigger while breasts and skin acknowledge that gravity works), my emotional reactions to a lot of human interaction remain on about a three-year-old's level.

And trust me, I currently have a three-year-old around to guarantee that.

I get my feelings hurt, I pout, I hide in the corner. I get jealous, I want attention, and it's ALL me me me me me.

While celebrating my 55th birthday, no less, I kinda wanna start a fight.

When am I finally gonna grow up? Ever?

I like the idea of being as a child - innocent, faithful, believing - I just need to get rid of the childlike reactions.

Sigh.

Let's try again.