Progress??

[Guest guest]

I was talking to my mother on the phone yesterday about the most recent

catastrophe to hit her, her landlord issues, and she changed the subject to say

that she ran into a mutual acquaintance of ours.

The acquaintance told my mother that she had run into my husband. My mother told

me, " she gave me one of her stupid 'knowing' looks, like she was trying to say

with her smirk that she knew your husband isn't working!  I know her, I know

that's what she was saying without saying it!!! "

Now normally, I would get incredibly wounded and upset with my mother over her

obvious " zing " and lack of support for or affection of my husband. She has never

really liked him, which was one of the things I liked about him! (as well as his

sparkly eyes, but I digress...)

She loves to do what she accused our acquaintance of doing: say things

indirectly.   Like the other day, she told me at least 8 times in 2 days that

she had to boil her water because she ran out of bottled water. There was no

directive from the local authorities  There is a corner store right by her house

where she could buy herself a few bottles of water to get her through to the

weekend until I could go to the store, but no.  She wanted it right away.   I

didn't get why she couldn't just drink the damned tap water.  Anyhoo, I digress

again...

I could tell my mother wanted me to react to what she said about my husband's

work situation. She likes to remind me of it and stick it in my face.  I just

said, " uh huh. OK, mom, I'll talk to you later. "   And ended the conversation.

I have to say, I was proud of myself for not reacting to her.  For not frothing

at the mouth for an apology. I know I won't even get an acknowledgement from

her.  It feels to accept her as she is and not expect from her any more. 

Of course, that was yesterday; I know with me it can be one step forward, 2

back. But I'll enjoy my little victories when they come!