I promised to post a photograph of my rock climbing son. I have requested a picture from him many times but of course, my rock climber does not have a photo at hand but my film maker does. I emailed him and asked him to forward me a magnificent picture of his brother and he replied,
“Just as soon as I photoshop my face on his body…”
Simon actually confused his stay at A&M College Station, with his attraction to the rock wall. It was an expensive love affair. He was getting a degree from the Wildlife and Fisheries department where they awarded this amazing Bachelor of Science (BS) qualification which would enable him to work with animals at prestigious places in America and around the world. But he was focused on rock climbing and graduated with plans to tour the world for a year, as a climber, living in his car, or a tent if he couldn’t take his car, on the grand old sum of $250.00.
He had debts, he had bills, he had a girlfriend with marriage plans, he had a car that was really ours he had a degree, but you know what, somewhere along the line, he had lost his brain…college does that to some folk.
As parents we took the misguided view that he was edging closer to independence. We were so wrong! He spent a year living at home, with all the rules and nags and eye rolls parents could muster, while he stubbornly clung to his dream of turning his hobby, rock climbing, into a profession. Of course he looked at those who had gone before and claimed that climbing around the world could be done on a shoe string not to mention a rope. On further investigation he discovered those friends who were blazing the trail without him, had hidden attributes like trust funds and healthy savings accounts. Undeterred he continued in his fruitless job at the local rock wall where he developed V9 skills and managed to snag a sponsorship or two and a photo shoot with friends that resulted in the photograph below published in an online magasine.
Finally he began volunteering at the zoo, the Dallas Zoo that is, where he eventually wanted to work. He made a name for himself by climbing around in the primate enclosures cutting limbs off trees and adjusting shade awnings. Two years after graduation he is still living at home but in the year as a zoo keeper we ,the parents, are pleased to report that he has taken several steps towards independence.
He brews his own beer; he made a killer port; he helped us make cheese; he assists his brother with the pasta making process; he has a grinder which will yield wonderful sausages and burgers and he recently bought a state of the art grill which is waiting to be christened as I write.
Viva L’Independence! Worthy of a V10 at least!
Well hello there! My name is Vivienne McNeny.
I am an empty nester exploring life as a Boomer…you could say I'm happily Boomering along!
As a homeschooling Mum I have finally quit the job of role model and mentor to my four children. I do what I want to do, eat when I feel like it, enjoy life with my blue eyed cowboy and clean my house once a month or so whether it needs it or not!
In true English form I write about the emergence of my true identity now that I can no longer hide behind my children as their Mum.
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