my mom had lunch with The Aunts today. The Aunts are my grammu’s sisters, and probably her brother Mickey, but he’s not always included with The Aunts– usually that’s just betty, marion and pearl. yes, i know my extended family quite well, it’s that kind of town.

the talk of the lunch was the poem i wrote for my grammu. it seems the whole damn family is in love with the little piece of triteness. it amazes me that they were so moved by it. it tickles me too. they are begging for copies. marion’s son (i guess that’s my mom’s cousin) thinks it should be published.

mom says they are all amazed by what a good writer i am. one of them even said i had a gift. mom, of course, got a little frustrated. “they just don’t realize that this is what you do. that you’re a writer. they just can’t understand.” it’s funny. seeing her all proud of my writing like that. i never thought she understood. it makes me a little smeary-eyed knowing that my mom is so proud of this, this thing that i’ve written. i am crying with the happiness that she finally realizes that this is what i do. i write and she gets it.

my grammu would be so proud too. i feel so validated.