When my son, Max, was deployed for a year overseas with the National Guard, I was bracing myself for a rollercoaster of emotions. To help ease the distance, he set me up on Skype before his departure so we could have video chats. While the connection wasn’t quite Hollywood-perfect like on crime dramas, where everything is crystal clear, it was enough for me to see his cheerful face and hear sweet words like “Hey, Mom,” every few weeks.
Every time Max’s call came through, my computer would chime like a tiny bell. Given the time difference between Oregon and his location, those calls often came in the wee hours. If I missed one, it could be days or even weeks before another opportunity arose, so I developed an acute sense of hearing for that specific sound—I could catch it from any corner of the house, no matter the time.
One particularly muggy summer night, I was cozied up in bed when I heard that familiar chime. I jumped out of bed and dashed down the hall to click on the bright green “Answer Call” button. Max’s smiling face appeared on the screen, but his first words sent my heart racing: “OH MY GOD, MOM!!! Are you NAKED?!?” I looked down and realized, to my utter shock, that I was only wearing my partner’s boxers.
In a panic, I dove to the floor, knocking over a chair in my haste, and crawled on my knees toward the closet to snag a t-shirt. Meanwhile, I frantically waved my hand in front of the screen, yelling, “Wait! Don’t hang up!!” Laughter erupted in the background as Max’s buddies caught on to the scene. “Mom! MOM!! Click the ‘AUDIO ONLY’ button! It’s on your left! AUDIO ONLY!!” he shouted. “No, wait! I’m right here! DON’T HANG UP!” I yelled back, finally managing to throw on a t-shirt, and scrambled to get back in front of the computer, now somewhat appropriately dressed for a call with my child.
Max looked at me, deadpan, and said, “You realize that when I come home and someone asks me what the most traumatic thing I saw was, I’m going to have to say ‘MY MOTHER.’” It seems that no matter how old they get, parents always find a way to leave lasting impressions.
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In summary, parenting is filled with unexpected moments that create unforgettable memories. Whether through laughter or slight embarrassment, these experiences shape our relationships with our children and leave a lasting impact.