This may not come as a surprise to you but a realization just smacked me in the face - my children are not southern. I never thought about having children that weren't southern. Talking it out with Bill, I guess it is one of those realizations that kind of creeps up on you. Our first child was born in New Jersey and then we moved back South. Our second and third were born in South Carolina and then we moved to Ohio. Now we are in Vermont and the South seems so far away and frankly a bit miss understood. When people ask us where we are from the answer is always an interesting combination of places. My answer is always Atlanta. For now the kids seem to say they are "from" Ohio.
I wonder if the way I am feeling might be similar to how people that come to the US from other countries feel when their children don't have the familiar accent or lose it while here? I feel like a part of me is missing in them.
What brought my attention to this was my youngest son who recently asked his grandmother why she said a certain word all the time. The word was
y'all. He didn't seem to know what it meant. That was when I realized that he isn't a southern child and certainly isn't hearing the word
y'all often enough.
On the upside, I hope that what we are giving our children is the ability to immerse themselves in new situations and surroundings and to appreciate where they are and where they have been. They have already had a wealth of experiences and my hope is that all these experiences and opportunities will help them continue to grow into helpful, kind, thoughtful, respectful young men with a healthy dose of good Southern manners and an appreciation for their Mama. That can be gathered anywhere they live!
Happy Mother's Day a bit early!
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| lots of ferns around |
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| happy flowers |
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| hostas coming up |
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| more hostas |
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| Trudy watching me from the front window |
I have the same feelings about my kids. They are not "New Englanders." They speak with a mid-western accent and laugh at certain words that I say or use and laugh at many that my mom uses. I knew I was not living in Massachusetts anymore but somehow it did not occur to me until 6 years later that even though 2 of mine were born there, they only remember Ohio. They learn Ohio's history in school instead of Massachusetts. When they are studying local history it is new to me, as well. Although, I talk Red Sox all the time, they don't hear about them on the radio or from friends or see the gear everywhere they look. What was really strange to me was getting Gehrig's social security card- the number did not begin with a 0 as everyone else in our family! It tugs a little at my heartstrings but I'm not sure why. It is funny to hear cousins in MA, describe my kids as their cousins "from Ohio."
ReplyDeleteI can totally understand that, Sal. I bet it is a bit strange, especially when their grandparents are all very Southern (like my family, you know!)!
ReplyDeleteMaybe summer camp in the South is an idea? Maybe some "culture" lessons about the South? I don't know the answer but I know that you and Bill are both smart and thoughtful people and if sharing your Southern heritage w/ your boys is important, you will find a way to make it so.
Can't wait to see you when you're in Atlanta this summer - and I will be sure to put on my biggest Southern accent around your boys. Y'all take care now, ya hear?!
Hey K - thanks for your comments! Keeping our place on the NC coast is a hugh priority for me and returning regularly is a great comfort! The house give us roots in the South. I guess, as my friend Stacey above noted, it is something that anyone that moves from one region to another might experience. Funny where life takes ya!
ReplyDeleteBless your heart, darlin'. See if you would get that brand new Chevy with the lift kit, y'all could go muddin' and be the talk of the town.
ReplyDeletecan always count on you Mot :)
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