On a recent family vacation, I had the unfortunate experience of being asked the inevitable question. To my chagrin, it happened a decade or two sooner than I had expected. Drum roll please. “Is that your grand-daughter?” What?! Are you kidding me?!
At the ripe young age of 42, I had anticipated being mistaken for my youngest daughter’s Grandma in the distant future. Possibly at her college orientation, when I’ll be in my 50’s, but absolutely no sooner than that! Hopefully, you can imagine my surprise, when this inevitable question arrived more than a decade early. I was quite taken off guard. I have never been mistaken for being older than I look, always younger. I was not exactly sure how to respond to this sudden upheaval of my universe.
We were headed west on the PA Turnpike and had stopped to take care of a much needed diaper change (for Baby!) I finished changing her diaper, passed her off to her older sister and continued packing up the diaper bag. As I headed out of the rest room I could hear a lady remarking at how cute the baby was as she strolled hand in hand with her sister. The lady then noticed me exiting the restroom, proudly encumbered with the diaper bag, and quipped, “Is that your grand-daughter? She’s adorable! She looks just like Shirley Temple!” Trying to keep my composure, I smiled, kept walking and promptly relayed the mishap to my kids.
Needless to say, they all found this quite humorous. I was more in a state of mingled shock and laughter. After a few minutes, however, the realization of the comment had dawned on my eldest daughter and she was slightly insulted at the insinuation that she was the mother! It was my turn to have a good laugh at her expense! At 15 it is in the realm of possibility and, perhaps, may be a more common occurrence in the particular area we were traveling. With this thought I realized that I could well have just been paid a compliment. If turnpike lady had assumed that my oldest daughter was a teen mom and I had been a teen mom, than she undoubtedly pegged me for in my 30’s!
30’s?! Yup, that must be it! All is right again in my little universe.
Denise Mooney is a mother of three: two teens (13 & 15) and a toddler (2!) She is an active basketball mom, glorified taxi driver and, once again, a proud MOPS Mom (Mother of Preschoolers.) Over the past two decades, Denise has worked with teens in varying capacities, especially enjoying her role as Director of Senior High Youth at her church. Currently, she teaches the weekly Ladies’ Bible Study, helps with the Senior High Girls and leads the young adult group along with her husband of nearly 20 years. She enjoys blogging about the many facets of her life at http://www.MyMidLifeMotherhood.com