How many times did my own Mawdine say to me, “This is going to hurt me more than it does you.”? What? Isn’t that backasswards?

In truth, more than I care to count.

She was right as rain. It ‘does’ hurt me more than it does them. Dammit.

Tough Love by definition is: 

 noun: tough love

     the promotion of a person’s welfare, especially that of an addict, child, or criminal, by enforcing certain constraints on them, or requiring them to take responsibility for their actions. 

Operative words ‘the promotion of a person’s welfare.’

Sometimes the person can be one, two or all three (addict/child and criminal). Heartfelt blessings those who bear that burden.

No matter how hard one may try; time and money invested in the pursuit of happiness via dance/piano/drum lessons, big birthdays, even bigger Christmases, camping/river running, trips to Disneyworld, cruises, bedtime giggles and the cherished reading of novels fantastic…it’s a 50/50 crap shoot.

Kudos to those who hit a home run.  Empathy for those who might not, but refuse to give up hope.

Recent Happy Family Trailer Park dramas have been less than ‘happy’ and some tough love was doled out gratuitously over the last few months…in vain. I won’t go into details as it is more than likely the focal point of the next book…or not.

Maybe just a glazing, cleverly disguised as a sub plot. So…ANY…WAY….

…before we commence to a re-writin of the wills…here is where the Trailer Park tire rubber meets the road.

The Bank of Nadine and Jose’ Bodine is officially closed.

A poem by the ‘real’ Momma. Would Dramamine’s ‘real’ Momma please stand up?

Tough Love

A million bad choices

She’s making them every day

But I can’t stop her

I don’t know what to say

 

Because, I am just a mentor

A former mother

Her guardian angel?

NOT a friend.

 

Helpful ever

Encouraging too

Harmful never!

 

Wanting to guide her

Teach her

Steer her.

Smack her in the head,

 

For her obstinate rudeness,

Her pathos,

And her Blind stepping

On uneven ground.

 

I live and die by

Dysfunctional joy

Tough  love

And prayer.