When someone tells me a story that involves their mother, I become envious. Don't get me wrong, I my birth-mother is still alive... but she's nothing like what you would think.1
Let me start from the beginning.2
I was born on September 30th, and while I was supposed to be born on her birthday, September 23rd, she was still excited to have her first newborn. It was at 10:02am. I must have been cute as a baby. We have tons of pictures of when she dressed me up in the crazy fashions of little dresses(mostly velvet, for that is her favorite texture), so now I realize why I started becoming sort of tomboy-ish in my elementary years. I hung out with boys and played pokemon and wondered why my mother told me to act like a lady. I didn't want to. I tried, at first, actually repeating the advice on to friends of my age, but I soon realized that the lady-like image just wasn't anything like me.3
My parents fought relentlessly, but that was okay, because they always made up back then, so I was able to comfort myself with that thought. She refused to take her medication at one point during my childhood, and got delusional and took my little brother and stormed out of the house telling my father it was over. Even then, when I barely understood it, I promised myself to stay with my father if they ever split. I later learned that the reason she had returned was because she had been found by her friend Monica on the sidewalk, waiting for someone imaginary to pick her up and sweep her away.4
Before that, when my little brother was born, she became completely attached to him. She spent all of her time with him and never played with me anymore. This has stayed the same my entire life.5
When we moved to West Virginia, for the sole reason of the fact that we were down the road from some of her relatives, I was about 8 or 9. I started becoming of age for chores. She made me do everything except laundry, and even then I sometimes had to fold clothes. I vacuumed, mopped, did dishes, and washed everything down with the sweet scent of Windex. Dinner was whatever she wasn't too lazy to make; countless hotdogs and, occasionally, macaroni and cheese. Most nights, however, it was "Make It Yourself" night.6
When I turned ten, I was expected to babysit my little brother for free, on my own, all alone in the house. I wasn't allowed to use the stove, and I was supposed to be the positive adult influence on his life. I ended up growing up a little quickly. I went through a quick emo phase by the time I turned thirteen, but that ended almost as soon as it began with my adult-minded observation that it wouldn't help anything.7
They split up when I was fourteen. We were all relieved. She took my dad's retirement money, and kept lingering around for a while, but we eventually got her out. My brother went with her first, but quickly came to his senses. It was hard at first; I was the only woman in the house. I still am.8
I am seventeen. My dad has a new girlfriend, named Angela. She gave me a heartfelt confession that she would kill to be my mother, and I nearly cried; I never cry.9
Now I am stuck in the middle of a troubling matter; I need a mother, but she is alive. Is it alright to accept this woman as my mother when I already have one? ... I don't know.
A contest entry
- This Is My Story by Frozen Angel.
225 points, ended July 7, 38 entries
• next story in this contest, remove from contest
What do YOU think?
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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Excellent.
The new mother/new father concept is one that I've solved using this logic: A mother that most people would favor in a dilemma between one who is affectionate and one who is idle, would be the affectionate one. We cannot choose our mothers, in reality, however, we can choose our guardians and our caregivers. Some seek guidance through religion, some find friends, but only a few will be lucky enough to have someone come and lend a hand and offer to be that caregiver. The question shouldn't be whether or not to accept a new mother, but to accept a new caregiver, a new guide in life, a new guardian. Think if it that way.beginning: 4, language: 3, plot: 4, ending: 4, dialog: 4, characters: 5.
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Thanks for the comment!
Unfortunately, my father and Angela have now broken up. But at least I'm old enough now to not have to depend on the motherly influence. I have my friends, and my online friends, and my boyfriend. But who knows, maybe I'll find a new caregiver later on...
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I really like your story if this is true and its ok to accepts Angela's request
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This is very good on a personal narrative level. I especially like how you took time to explain your thoughts alongside what actually happened.
I just have a few questions concerning the content.
Is your biological mother delusional, or insane? Please forgive me if I sound mean, but when you mentioned her not taking her medication, I just started wondering. Then, with the whole "imaginary person coming to sweep her away."
Why did Angela say she would kill to be your mother? I would like just a little more explaination on that part, so I could understand a little better.
As far as your father's girlfriend, I don't know you well enough to speak as if I have a clue.
Usually, though, children are hesitant to accept anyone as a "replacement" of another family member in their lives. If you don't care for her much or don't know if you like her or not, it's completely natural. I would consider things that she does that your mother didn't and you like. Or things she doesn't do that your mother did and you also liked.
Also, consider your dad's happiness.
Thank you for taking the time to enter my contest.
*Frozen Angel* -
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My biological mother has schizoaffective disorder, along with other various mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. Schizoaffective people have less troubles than schizophrenic people do, but they're still generally considered "half schizophrenic."
One thing I would like to add about her favoring my brother, is my dad telling me that it was because she was not mentally stable enough to nurture more than one child as a mother.
I think that Angela wants to be my mother for many various reasons. First off, she found out how my mother acted towards me, which may be why she feels compelled to help me as a mother-figure, since I've never had one. She obviously thinks I need one, but it's not all about me; her previous husband died of a blood clot and left her with one daughter. She's always dreamt of having two girls and a boy, and me and my brother fit perfectly into that equation. Perhaps she also needs a big sister for Alexandra, her daughter.
My dad's happiness is the most important thing I consider. Right now they are not sure whether or not they'll definitly stay together, and I'll understand and accept his decision either way. It's mostly his decision. After all, I'm not going to force him to stay with someone he doesn't love. XD
As for replacement, I don't really know. I've never really had a mother figure besides my own, and she wasn't of much help. It just makes me wonder, when so many children lost their mothers and would kill to have them back, if it's right for me to want a new one instead of accepting what I have. I know I can't accept my mother; I cannot deal with her mentality. But is this moral? To abandon my own mother for selfish purposes, just so I can live a happy life? I'm not sure...
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I'm sorry that your mom did that... love ya babe
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