Thursday, May 06, 2010

Mother’s Day – Twitter Chats Blog Tour


Welcome to the Twitter Chats Blog Tour, organized by Mari Juniper at Mari's Randomities and Anne Tyler Lord at Don't Fence Me In

Today's theme is Mother's Day.

You'll be traveling with us through the blogs of some of the fantastic authors and writers who participate in our weekly -- funny, entertaining and educating -- Twitter chats. This tour will feature writers from #writechat, #litchat, and #fridayflash.

You will be directed to your next stop at the end of this post. Please feel welcome here. Happy Mother's Day!

~~~~~~~ 

Never Too Old
by Marisa Birns

Ellen Newman did not expect to be stuck in an elevator with her mother. But here they were, somewhere between the third and fourth floors in Aunt Judy's building. Her mother, of course, knew about Ellen's discomfort of being confined in small spaces, so she tried to distract her.

“Now, it's supposed to be my surprise party, but honestly, has your father ever been able to keep a secret from me?” She laughed. “Do you remember when – ”

“Mother. Please don't. It's not helping.”

Ellen sat on the floor and hugged her knees. Fortunately, the phone in the control panel worked, so the doorman knew about their predicament and promised it would be mere minutes before an employee from the  maintenance office came to help.

“Are you hungry, dear?” Her mother took out an energy bar from her bag.

A shrug from Ellen. “Well, I didn't have lunch, so I guess I could eat something.”

She reached up and took it from her mother, along with the napkin she held out to her.

“I also have a bottle of water we can share.”

“Don't fuss over me. Please.” Ellen said, though she took the water. After a few seconds of thought, she looked up at her mother and patted the space next to her on the floor.

They passed the time remembering funny stories about various members of the family they would see tonight. Though she realized she was enjoying herself, Ellen still could not push away her worriment that it was taking too long for them to be rescued. Her mother noticed. She put her arm around Ellen's shoulders and kept on talking. Moments later, the elevator jolted in movement. “At last!” they said at the same time, and laughed as they helped each other to stand.

Her mother took out a comb from her bag and handed it to Ellen, who sighed before taking it.

“What am I going to do with you?

“Well, you want to look nice at my party, don't you?” Her mother said as she smoothed small creases from her dress. “And, sweetheart, don't forget that I don't know about it.”

As the doors finally opened to the anxious faces of her husband and sister-in-law, she turned to her daughter and offered her hand. They walked out together.

When they entered the apartment and the lights turned on, her mother acted properly startled at the shouts of  “Surprise!” that came from every corner of the living room. But before she moved across the room for hugs, she looked over at Ellen, who winked and blew her a kiss.

“Yes, it was scary. But you know how Mom is.” Ellen said seconds later in answer to someone's question. “She made it all better.”
~~~~~~~

Thanks for stopping by. Your next stop for the Mother's Day Twitter Chats Blog Tour is at Jemi Frasier of Just Jemi

The complete list of participants can be found at the hosts' blogs: Mari Juniper and Anne Tyler Lord

48 comments:

  1. It's great when a mother can still make things better, no matter how old the child is! My children still turn to me in that way - in their 30's - and I feel honored each time that they do.

    Terrific story, Marisa! Happy Mother's Day!

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  2. Anonymous9:45 AM

    So true, mothers can always make things better.
    Great Mother's Day story! Loved it :)

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  4. Bang on the money, Marisa! I sure do know "how Mom is". When we're very young, we sometimes take that great umbrella of motherhood for granted. Now, when my children look at me with the firm assurance that I will make it better, it's a little scary, to be honest. But I wouldn't have it any other way...

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  5. Anonymous11:48 AM

    Lovely ending - says it all!

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  6. Lovely story Marisa. This reminds me so much of my own parents. Though my dad wouldn't remember to throw Mom a party, he never has been able to keep a secret from her. :)

    Happy Mother's Day weekend!

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  7. Anonymous12:51 PM

    Once a mother, always a mother :) My mom is the same way, though her grandkids are now going to college. We'll always be her babies.

    Great story!

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  8. This was lovely and warm and you just gave the gift of a great happy moment in my day.
    Thank you.
    Hugs!!
    Karen :0)

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  9. What a wonderful story! I love how their relationship endured - confidants, and Mom is always there to help.

    The touching moments arise through the everyday events - you captured this so poignantly.

    Happy Mother's Day to you!

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  10. oh i loved this! i really just loved it. because there are so many layers even in its simplicity. and that is why i loved this and all your others too.

    how we reject the love and support of a mother despite all the years we have needed it and been handed it...and always appreciated it.

    much to be said.

    oh awesoemness.

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  11. Such a patient mother, to keep giving and giving, even under such difficult circumstances. I could picture it all!

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  12. I could feel the love and the bond this mother daughter held. Based you one of your experiences?

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  13. Great post Marisa! Such a true moment. No matter how old we get, mom is still mom. And mom will always know how to make it better :)

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  14. This was just perfect -- thanks for this great vignette!

    You reminded me of a day when my own mom "made it all better." We fight a lot (left-wing versus right-wing, modern versus old-fashioned expectations, etc etc). But I remember the day after my beloved cat died, mom came and got me and just drove me around town. We went out for lunch, we went to visit my brother, we just meandered. She let me talk about my departed little one when I wanted, or followed other subjects as they came up. She was just there, like a rock, the whole day.

    Most mothers do have a way of "making it better" even if you fight like cats and dogs the rest of the time. Thanks for the reminder. :-)

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  15. A wonderful tribute, Marisa. Who doesn't love a mother who can "make it all better." Thankfully, I didn't have a hovering mother, but now that she's gone, I would welcome any smothering she'd want to give. Especially loved the feeling of confinement and actions you create inside the elevator. Very effective way to heighten emotional tension. Write on!

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  16. This reminds me how much I love my own mother. :)

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  17. Aw, mothers are brilliant!

    Great flash. :-)

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  18. Wow Phyl, what a touching story... Maybe this asks for a short of flash? eh? eh? ;P

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  19. What a sweet story. This blog tour is getting me all worked up. Loving it!

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  20. Lovely relationship piece. The little actions that mean so much are well shown here.

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  21. Nice. What a touching story!

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  22. Moms are the best! I'd want my Mom around too if I were stuck in an elevator (especially since I'm claustrophobic)!

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  23. Love this - just how a Mom should be! Hope she enjoys her "surprise", and that her family all appreciate her. Happy Mother's Day to one and all. :-)

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  24. Anonymous5:22 PM

    This is a sweet one. The mom taking care of the daughter, and the daughter trying not to need it. :)

    Lovely writing.

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  25. This mom reminds me so much of my own, always prepared! LOL! Seriously though, this is very touching and made me miss my mama. Well done!

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  26. Awww. You never stop needing your mother!! Wonderful story for Mother's Day!

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  27. “She made it all better.”

    Aww, warm fuzzies for Mother's Day.

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  28. Sweet. That's what moms are all about.

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  29. Such a wonderful mother. My mom still tends to make things better for me, too. Good story!

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  30. Adorable story, Marisa. Mother's think and seem to know everything, whether we like it or not.

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  31. Good for Mothers. Lovely story for US Mother's Day (we've had ours!)

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  32. Great heartwarming story. Happy Mother's Day! Peace...

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  33. Wonderful! Just the sort of mother any child should be honoured to have. :)

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  34. I'd have loved to have heard those stories the two swapped!

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  35. Sweet story, Marisa - moms always seem to know what to do ;-)

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  36. This felt very real to me. Nicely done.

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  37. What a sweet story.

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  38. This was splendid. Realistic,and spot-on.I am a fan of your work.

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  39. This was a beautiful post for Mother's Day. You captured it - Mom's will be there, when we need them the most. I can't imagine my life without my Mom. It would be an empty place indeed!

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  40. Yes, this captures the essence of what good mothers do. Love how they were going up to the mom's surprise birthday party, rather than just a routine ride in a lift.

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  42. تحفظ المفروشات والستائر في أكياس مخصصة يتم تفريغ و سحب الرياح منها لضمان الحفاظ عليها من الحشرات التي تستهدف الأقمشة.
    شركة نقل اثاث

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