For about 3 weeks Mary and I have been pretty psyched to head out to Boston to see Love Via Dance Machine. We have fallen in love with the band and its members Its almost as if we have a smug case of ‘we saw them first’ And when they’re charting- were totally going to be saying that…Loudly.
So its with great disappointment that I report that we were unable to attend yesterdays show. But why?
Why? Well basically and to be quite blunt. Cuz some adults have children but do not parent. When you get a crying call because you’re the ‘only person I can talk to’
Well what do you do?
I hate kids. They’re messy and loud I envy their stamina and loathe that no matter what they have no clue how good they have it and how life is basically going to beat the fuck out of you the minute you get your diploma. But a small voice and a muffled hiccup of cry..well what do you do?
What I would love to have done is said…. cant you like talk to your mom or something? Dad? Sister? uh.. cousin? Dial a Ride? cuz Iike were going to Boston and well we look great and well….
I couldn’t
After a brief sniffing back and forth about how again ‘no one listens’ i took off my coat pulled up a chair
flipped the phone off. (don’t tell ) and hunkered down to listen. No matter what was said I was sure was going to be ridiculous, trivial and all they needed was a firm ‘get over it’.
Dear Parents-
Your kid may have headphones on but they hear you. They may be texting but they know what you’re doing. They may be cutting themselves but they know you don’t care enough to realize it. They may be considering cashing it all in cuz you’re there……but you’re not there. Your talking about trips and cars and toys. Moving and the Jones’s and did you see how Mrs Johnsons bushes are so unkempt?
Meanwhile ‘do the dishes’. ‘clean your room’, you really need to get your grades up’, ‘I spent good money on that!’.. is all your saying to the one person who is only under your feet cuz you didn’t wrap it or take a pill. YOUR doing, your creation. That kid turned to me. The eccentric woman you don’t know well but who you know. The one who listens to the weird music,is always going to concerts and actually lets her kid have pink hair.
Me.
A college educated semi liberal semi religious stranger… took the time to listen cuz you were too busy talking. Shut the FUCK up and listen.
I came and got your kid (where the hell were you?) and ate popcorn at my kitchen table til we worked out a game plan……about……….well ask them.
Ask your child what they’re thinking.
Before they chose someone not as caring as myself to tell it to.
As for Love Via Dance Machine….your show looked fucking amazing. Thank you for offering us tickets to see you and we will be there to see you next time we promise.
We had to spread a little Love Via Listening.