Tuesday, February 8, 2011

The Magic and Mayhem Of Firsts

Saturday was a day of firsts at our house. First we slept in for three glorious hours. Can you say bliss? Then we got up, because for some reason the children like to be fed and such, and they seem to depend on us for that. Weird.

At 10:18 we experienced a whole new kind of first. Kid A got a phone call. Not that she hasn't talked on the phone before, it's what happened during that call that changed our whole day.

She talked for a few minutes then came to us for guidance. Our conversation went something like this:

Kid A: Mom, Dad, I need to talk.

Us: Okay.

Kid A: That was Friend A. She wants me to ask this guy out to the Sweet Heart Ball.

Me staring at Kid A with bulging eyes: Ummmmmmmm. Ummmmmmm. Ummmmmm. Isn't that today?

Kid A: Yes?

Hubby trying not to laugh: Do you want to go?

Kid A: I don't know. Friend A really, really, really wants me to ask this guy.

Me trying to breath normally so that Kid A won't be frightened: Isn't the dance semi-formal?

Kid A: Yes.

Me still trying to breath normally since this would be Kid A's first date, and I remember how terrifying that is, but also being a mom and knowing how much effort goes into preparing for a dance, and not knowing what Kid A would wear to a semi formal dance that just happens to be in a about six hours: Isn't that today?

Hubby patting my back to calm me down while asking Kid A: Do you want to go?

Kid A: I don't know. They're doing the day activities at noon.

Me staring in dumb disbelief at the clock, which reads 10:22, and realizing my six hours just shrank to one-and-a-half, and thinking we need a dress, shoes, hair, make-up, money, oh crap--she still needs to ask this guy out: Ummmmmm. Ummmmmm. Ummmmmm.

Hubby still trying not to laugh: Well, you'd better make up your mind fast. Who is this guy?

Kid A: I don't know. Some senior.

I'd finish this conversation for you, but it would be painful for most of us--okay, probably just for me. So instead of pain, I'll sum up. She decided to go because she didn't want to let Friend A down and because there was Chinese food involved. Okay, and because she's a brave girl who can have fun under pressure.

She called to inform Friend A of this monumentous decision while I hyperventilated for a minute or two. Then Kid A informed me that Friend A would be at our door in ten minutes to pick her up to go ask the guy out. I hyperventilated some more and ordered Kid A into the shower.

Then the rush began. I ran to the kitchen shouting, "What do we have to ask someone to a dance?" I yanked open the pantry and stared. "Beans! We have beans!"

Hubby, who had followed me, told me I couldn't use beans. We made cookies. Fast. Okay, I started the cookies, and hubby finished them while Kid A and I did the speediest hair and make-up job in the history of the world. Then she left to go ask some poor, unsuspecting senior to the dance (with a plate of cookies and a can of beans) that was in just a few hours. I felt bad for his mother for a second or two. It would have been more, but I didn't have time.

While she was gone, I called in reinforcements, my mom for a dress, my sister for the real hair and make-up, my neighbor for pictures, a prayer or two for sanity and a miracle. They all came through with flying colors.

By the time Kid A came back from asking the now-stressed senior to the dance we had eleven semi-formal gowns, shoes, and everything else lined up--except an oxygen tank for me.

So the long and short of this tale is, we made it. Kid A looked beautiful. The dance was a success, and so was Kid A's first date.

What does this have to do with writing? Oh, tons of things, but I've gone on too long already. So I'll just list three.

1: Firsts are exciting and scary, and all of us like to relive them. That's why I love YA. It's all about firsts.

2: Sometimes you just have to dive into the writing, like Kid A did with her first date, and let the words fall where they may.

3: When you do dive in, have a support group like someone to help with a dress and make-up. You know, readers, and critique partners, and back-patters, and such. But most of all, just love it. There's nothing better than the rush of excitement as the words come. Oh, and keep some beans and chocolate chips handy, you never know when you'll need them.

Are you going to write a first today?

Leisha Maw

22 comments:

Tiana Smith said...

LOL! Good job on making it through! That's amazing, and you're right about all the writing tips :)

Carolyn V said...

Oh, she's so beautiful! I'm so glad her date went well!

My first. To get something written today, even though my schedule is so full!

Jonene Ficklin said...

Wow, there are crazy days, then there are miracle days. Neither come without hard work, but the miracle days never happen by chance, do they? Now you're seasoned! And thanks for the great blog! My palms are still sweating for you! (Oh, and if you ever need gowns again, we have a few : )

Hermana Maw said...

Tiana, it was a crazy-in-good-way kind of day. I'm glad we made it through, too. :)

Carolyn, thanks so much. I'll tell her you said so. :) Good luck on the writing.

Jonene, my palms are, too. :) You are awesome btw.

Cindy Beck, author said...

Loved the story. And your daughter looked lovely! Really enjoyed your analogy to writing, as well. Maybe that's why writers love to write ... because every new story or novel is a first! :)

Oh, and thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting on "Roast Groundhog." I'm with you ... there's no way I'm trying that recipe, but it was fun to write it. :)

Cherie said...

Whew!

Candice said...

Wow, what a whirlwind and what a brave daughter! Sometimes being a mom is all about being flexible and resourceful!

Hermana Maw said...

CL, you are most welcome, and thanks to you, too.

Cherie, whew indeed.

Candice, she's braver than I ever was. :)

Crystal Collier said...

Thanks for the laugh. This was GREAT. Oh boy I'm not looking forward to being the mom of a teenager.

Elana Johnson said...

Holy cow! I'd so be with you, throwing open the pantry and finding only beans. Ha!

Lydia Kang said...

Oh! So beautiful! Hope the date went okay!

Susan Kaye Quinn said...

Ha! That's a great story! And I love the firsts, too, which is exactly why I write YA. And MG. And sometimes you just gotta let go and get wacky. :)

Anonymous said...

She looks gorgeous! Way to be an awesome momma like that. And all those great tie-ins to writing? You're my hero.

Anonymous said...

And your blog likes me today! Hooray!

Hermana Maw said...

Happily Cheesy, I don't think you're supposed to look forward to it. LOL.

Elana, I guess it could have been worse. At least I had beans.

Lydia, thanks, and it did. :)

Susan, you can't beat the firsts. :)

Nikki, yes! I'm so glad my blog is being good to you today. I don't know why it is so fussy about Wordpress. Sheesh. :)

Donea Lee said...

Ahhh, I remember those days! Is it only in Utah highschools that props need to go along with the dance invites? (I did brownies and balloons, once...) :) And I love how you tied this in to writing. Kid A looked adorable! Hope she had fun?

Hermana Maw said...

Donea, I don't know, but we are unique. LOL.

Irene B. Gardner said...

Totally awesome! I'm proud of you and Kid A and ...

Well, you get the picture. I'm glad you had all sorts of support. I probably would have just shreiked and passed out. My daughter would have been on her own.

You brought tears of appreciation and recalling the Firsts in my own house.

Hugs,
Irene

Lisa Potts said...

Awww, good for you Mom. She looked beautiful and you handled everything very well.

The Huffies said...

She looks beautiful! Funny, funny story - I would be majorly freaking out...it just goes to show you that things can work out at the last minute!

Stacy Henrie said...

What cool parents to let her decide and then stand by her when she chose to go. You'd never know from the picture that she (and you) had so little time to get ready!

Hermana Maw said...

Irene, I may have gotten a little misty-eyed myself. :)

Lisa, she deserved a great first date. I'm just glad it worked out.

Carol, thank Heaven for support systems. :)

Stacy, thanks, I'll tell my sister you said so. Oh, and I'll tell Kid A, too. :)

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