Daily writing prompt

What were your parents doing at your age?

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This is an interesting question and something I’ve not pondered before. So I guess when my Mom was 48, my Dad was 49, and they were maybe, what they’d describe now if they looked back, in the prime of their life.

My Mom was still working as a Registered Nurse, my Dad still farming. All three of us girls were finished high school, (my younger sister graduated grade 12 in ’96). My older sister was already married.

It’s 1997. They might have been empty nesters, I can’t recall for sure. I moved away and came back home briefly a couple of times in those years.

They were probably enjoying some quiet in the household. I think in ’97 I was living “in town” with a girlfriend in an apartment and working part time as a waitress and part time in a residence that supported people who were developmentally delayed.

Mom and Dad would come to town for groceries or to shop for whatever and they’d be sure to come and eat at the restaurant I worked at, Mr. Ribs, WHILE I was working and sit in my section.

Back in those days five or ten bucks was a fair and maybe even generous tip for the lunchtime service but Dad would think he was so funny and leave me a nickel under his plate. Mom would make up for it when they paid though.

My parents are friendly people but not really social people, if that makes sense. I suppose for a while there they did have a small circle of friends they’d have coffee with or play a game of cards with, but as a general rule they were happiest just at home. I’m finally understanding what that feels like.

That Alabama song She & I always reminded me of my parents.