Saturday, September 6, 2008

CHARLES!

Imagine a plump woman with big, judgemental eyes that look over large glasses. When she leans her head down to see over her glasses, a large double chin appears. She has long neglected her physical appearance and instead spends her time perfecting the art of being loud and bossy.

The woman I've described is one that I will never forget and yet I don't and probably won't ever know her name. However, I will never forget her son's name -- Charles.

Charles figure skated at the ice rink with my sister Heidi. I can't really tell you a lot about Charles other than his name was screamed by his hissy mother approximately every five minutes. Charles was probably twelve, I'd say, and had already learned to turn a deaf ear to her calls of anger. She'd huff down from her seat and yell more at the edge of the rink. "Charles! Charles!" her face would distort itself as she called the boy. She expected perfection from her son and he wasn't about to give her the satisfaction. He'd skate to the opposite end of the rink and continue goofing off. To most of us in our seats it seemed as if mommy dearest was trying to live her dreams through her son. It's just speculation mind you, but it was quite clear to everyone around that Charles was indeed not a figure skater and had no desire to be one either.

So thank you Mrs. Charles' Mom. Thank you for being a good example of what NOT to be!

(Now that Heidi and I are mommies we call each other and share silly experiences concerning competetive moms. All the other one has to say is "Charles" just the right way and we have a vivid picture of what these moms are like . . . And of course we have a good laugh!)

2 comments:

Hs said...

I have no idea what the mother's name was either :). I do remember that when Charles wasn't listening to her, she would start yelling at her husband that was also out there on the ice wearing a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads... :)

Vicki Parramore said...

I thought I remembered a tall, skinny husband who also got yelled out. The lady was crazy . . .:)