Motherhood & Words

Happy Mother’s Day, friends! I hope you’re enjoying the day, doing exactly what you want to be doing!

A couple of days ago, I posted about Prince and grief and not waiting to do the things you want to do in life, about seizing the it, whatever that may be for you. I’ve thought about this a lot over the last year, and I’ve been talking to people about regrets. Did I have any? Did they?

When I was in my early twenties, a friend offered to give me his bass guitar amp. I didn’t have a bass, much less know how to play one, but still I toyed with the idea of accepting his amp, buying a bass guitar, learning how to play it, and joining an all-female band. I certainly spent enough time at 7th Street Entry to imagine that maybe I could be on the stage rather than in the audience. But I didn’t take the amp, didn’t buy a bass, didn’t learn to play.

Over the years, I’ve thought about it, about how I wish I’d just done it. In recent conversations with friends and Donny, that’s the regret I’ve named. All of them have said that it’s not too late. I agreed, but realistically, I didn’t think I’d do it. Buying a bass guitar? What?! It was a cost I could not justify. And when would I practice?

This morning, Donny and the girls brought me breakfast in bed—berries and a latte. I read their beautiful cards, marveled at Zoe’s crazy-hair plant that she made for me at school. Then they wanted to know if I wanted my present right then (it was downstairs).

“I’ll wait,” I said.

But then Zoë said, “Can I play with your present?” And I thought of the wording in Donny’s card that had something to do with music, and I suddenly thought, No way. He couldn’t have!

“Oh my God,” I said. “I need to see the present.”

We all ran downstairs, and they pulled a blanket from this huge box in the middle of the living room, and it was this:

Bass

 

I couldn’t believe it. I can’t believe it. I am almost 44 years old, and I just got my first bass and amp. And I’m seizing this, my friends. I’m going rock this out!

What are those things that have been calling to you? Are you ready to listen?

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Kate

I have been teaching creative writing for almost twenty years. Reading about other women’s lives and experiences has expanded my world. To be able to walk in someone else’s shoes, whether it’s for a moment or an hour or a few days, is an incredible gift, providing me with insight into the human experience. It takes courage to write your truths, especially if it doesn’t seem as though anyone cares, as though anyone is listening. Let me tell you: your stories matter, I’m listening, and I’m here to help you find the heart of those truths, to get them down on the page, to craft them, and to send them out into the world. Together, we will change the world, one story at a time.

16 Comments

  1. Barb Buckner Suarez on May 8, 2016 at 6:34 pm

    Woo-hoo! Go on, girl, Rock The House! I’m excited for you and a wee bit jealous! That’s a great Mother’s Day gift! Tell your hubby I said, “Well done!”



    • Kate on May 9, 2016 at 7:55 am

      He did so well, didn’t he? Now if I can just figure out how to play it!



  2. Lisa Romeo on May 8, 2016 at 10:21 pm

    That’s terrific! Enjoy.



    • Kate on May 9, 2016 at 7:55 am

      Thanks, Lisa! I will!



  3. Kristen on May 9, 2016 at 6:00 am

    Rock star!! Loving everything about this. The sound of live music in the house (my son plays guitar) is one of my favorite things. Enjoy!



    • Kate on May 9, 2016 at 7:56 am

      Thank you, Kristen! Hopefully I’ll get the hang of it soon!



  4. Kathleen Harris on May 9, 2016 at 8:31 am

    Kate, that’s wonderful! For my 44th birthday, my husband gave me an electronic drum kit. I’d been wanting to play since I was nine or ten. Good for you! ENJOY IT!



    • Kate on May 9, 2016 at 9:50 am

      I LOVE that, Kathleen! It’s the age! How is it going with the drums?



  5. Kate Edenborg on May 9, 2016 at 9:46 am

    My husband and daughter got me a ukelele for Xmas — I still need to learn that. Maybe we can push eachother and created a little band : )



    • Kate on May 9, 2016 at 9:51 am

      Yay, Kate! Yes, definitely! We need to form a band!



  6. Andrea on May 9, 2016 at 2:05 pm

    Wow! Your husband really LISTENS to you. That is a gift in itself. Rock on, woman.



    • Kate on May 9, 2016 at 2:06 pm

      It IS, isn’t it? (Though there are times when he does not listen…but this is certainly proof that most often he does.) Now I have to rock on!



  7. Nina on May 12, 2016 at 5:49 am

    Yes! I love this!



    • Kate on May 26, 2016 at 10:31 am

      Thank you, Nina!



  8. Lois on June 8, 2016 at 4:15 pm

    Chuckie would be proud!



    • Kate on June 14, 2016 at 11:42 am

      He would, wouldn’t he, Lois! That makes me so happy!