My Inappropriate Response Was to Swear Out Loud
Posted: October 22, 2014 Filed under: Diet- comedy 2 Comments
Tomorrow is my mother’s gallery open house at the Alizarin Gallery at 119W. Main St. Suite 200 in downtown Durham. The reception is from 6-8 and all are welcome. That means you!
Months ago when this show was planned my mother asked me if she could come and spend the night at my house after the reception. “Of course,” was my answer. It was a question she really did not even need to ask. My mother is not that old, but old enough that she should not drive an hour home in the dark, especially if she has had a glass of wine. All art shows go better with a glass of wine.
Today as I was going into an important meeting I got a voice mail message from my mother. In a deadpan voice this is what she said, “Dana, I fell down today and broke my wrist so your father is going to drive me to the show. Can he spend the night too and we go out to dinner after the show, or we just could drive home?”
Again, a question that she did not need to ask, of course my Dad can spend the night. He too should not drive home late at night in the dark. But what about your wrist? I have called both parents back and only gotten voice mail. This broken wrist information did not put me in the best mood.
As I entered the room for my meeting I was carrying my ubiquitous needlepoint bag. The leader of the meeting looked at me and in what was supposed to be a joking way said, “You are not allowed to needlepoint at this meeting. We have too much important stuff to cover.”
In front of other prominent members of the group I looked at the leader and loudly said, “Fuck You, No one tells me not to needlepoint.” Shocked would not be a strong enough word. Now I was not planning on needle pointing through the meeting, but I certainly don’t like being told what to do. My response was uncalled for and uncharacteristic because I usually would have had a wittier come back with no need to drop the F bomb.
I later apologized to the leader, who also happens to be a friend. I did not tell her about the message from my mother. I don’t think that I had put it together in my brain that I was really just reacting to my mother’s news. I feel like a more average response might have been to cry, but not to swear like a sailor. I wonder if I will ever grow up?
Less Dana, More Good 
As an avid and experienced knitter, I completely understudy and your need to keep hands busy in order to concentrate. When I go to movies, I knit during the entire show. It keeps me from eating and I can focus-same with flying, sitting waiting for appointments and being in meetings. The only place I never knit is church ( and sometimes I wish I could!)
I think we all have completely lost our temper, or composure, during really stressful times. Sometimes we don’t even realize it until we just lose it for a minute. I hope your friend understands; most will. I hope your mother is OK.