If you see a whole thing - it seems that it's always beautiful. Planets, lives... But up close a world's all dirt and rocks. And day to day, life's a hard job, you get tired, you lose the pattern. - Ursula K. LeGuin

Friday, April 22, 2011

Traditions

I'm not really big on traditions.  Most of the ones I keep are around Christmas.  Some are from my childhood and others are new traditions that have been created in my life with Angel and others in my life with b.

Angel is rather like me.  There are only a few traditions he treasures and most seem to be around Christmas.  I was amazed when he gave up on Easter so early.  He was somewhere around the early to mid-teen years when he decided a basket was no longer in order.  We haven't celebrated the holiday since.

Therefore I didn't really expect a brand new tradition to pop-up once he went away to college.  But it seems I should have.  Last night was our annual "drunk-dial your mother" event. It started his freshman year by accident.  There seems to be an actual fraternity event during the last week of classes that involves everyone drinking themselves disgusting (surprising, I know).  Since the first year's drunken profession of his undying love and gratitude went so well, he decided to make it a tradition.

When his sophomore year came to an end he had his friends chime in.  Not only did I have my son's admiration and respect but that year several of his friends loved me because I created and raised Angel.

Last night b and I had just turned out the lights and settled in to sleep.  I had a migraine.  When the phone rang I answered it because it was Angel.  He sounded surprisingly sober at first so it took me a minute to realize what was going on.  The call got dropped twice throughout the process but I managed to hear more declarations of love from Angel and friends.  It seems they all feel they know me because he talks about me so much.

Angel texted this morning to ask if we had a good conversation last night.  He has another event tonight that required a new shirt and tie.  I've been told the drinking will be minimal and I'll get to see pictures.

I really don't understand young men.

5 comments:

Annie said...

Well, you made me laugh. Since my son starts college in less than a year and a half, you also made me quite nervous! Seriously, it's great you have a wonderful rapport with Angel, and that he trusts you.

Maggie May said...

This is one of my favorite posts. Ever. xo

Seeking Solace said...

You made my morning. Hilarious!!!!

Catherine said...

Ah, traditions where would we be without them! Yesterday I went shopping for my daughter's Easter basket. As I perused the chocolate bunnies, gayly colored peeps, and edible grass, I couldn't believe I was still doing this. My daughter is 25 years old. She is the opposite of Angel and refuses to let a tradition die. She went trick-or-treating--in costume--way into her late teens. However, the good side is that she's willing to traipse into Philly to claim her basket so I get to see her. Sweet indeed! Oh, and we do the Easter hunt thing as well!

Annie said...

We gave my son a basket, and a couple of lego sets to go with it. He just turned 17. I asked him, when you're 18, do you still want legos, and he said, yes! I didn't hide the eggs this year, but we still had filled eggs, with candy, a few traditional toys- specifically, hot wheels, and money in a golden egg. I told my son he will always get a basket, so long as he's wherever his parents are, for Easter. We do the trick or treat thing, too. In our neighborhood, they all trick or treat throughout high school. It's all great fun. We have the photographs, too, for every event, so we can see the progression through the years.