A normal parent with an extraordinary child (abnormal)

A freak of nature with horns and dragon breath.
I cannot be from you; you would not birth such a monster!
So it is settled, so simple, so clear. In an instant you have no daughter.
Do you believe you are original? Every normal parent with a monster says this.

God’s oil and passion will set to work and release my demon.
Your love was not enough and you beat and scream at those you swear are to blame.
A horrid mother. The damndest kind. God knows you have tried. I am in his hands and will be free.
Let loose these feelings, you can be like us. Every normal parent feels for their mistake.

You chase me out. You drug me up. You hope to hell I keep your dreams.
My breath is raunchy and distains you with memories too pained to speak.
Come in, get out. Come in, let us dance. Don’t step on Mother’s toes.
It’s ok the ringing will stop when she stops. Every normal parent has an ugly side.

You love me, you love me not. Roses are red, no these roses are pink.
Old clichés go on and on but I am still odd and you still hate it.
Disowning, praying and fighting are a prelude.
You have read up on your homework. You are just as other straight parents.

This freak offered you money, board and a plane;
All for you to show your face and a little love.
Excuses, lies and now it is your turn to shine up your horns and bad breath.
For once you could have tried to be different and just said you hated me. You are too busy being ordinary.

Samantha Joppe-Schmalfuss

Snoopy is Sick

Snoopy is sick. Over the weekend, Saturday, we spotted a lump on her side. My Mrs. called the vet that coming Monday and explained the situation. We could get in on Tuesday and it sounds as though it may be removable surgically. Naturally, a biopsy would be done to determine what it is and the best course of action. She is our little girl and we need to take care of her, besides her little sister would appreciate it. This lump has not hindered her behavior or movement in any fashion. Snoopy is a rat by the way and she did her normal rat things with her sister in her home. She still is.

My Mrs. is just as upset, as these little girls were originally brought home for her; she posted on Facebook regarding our little girl. Naturally, you are going to get the ‘oh no’ and ‘I hope she feels better’ comments. Insensitivity is something you really do not expect when your pet is sick. Understanding that there are people who lack appreciation and a sense for the rat as I, myself was such a person. Mrs. wanted pet rats when we moved into a bigger place. So when that day came, I surprised her with a cage in the shape of a three story home with two girls. I am a believer in compassion and knowledge. To be limited is to be ignorant, even if in regards to a rat.

As I sit and read comments explaining that surgery should NOT be done on a rat. Sorry. Further still, they went on to give a list of acceptable pets in their eyes but NOT rats. Sorry. It hurt but moreover it was insensitive and not appropriate. I suppose to each his own and one can argue they have a right to speak their mind where they see fit no matter the consequence. I was raised to take care of your pet, for good or worse no matter what kind of pet. I was also taught to be thoughtful, sincere and if you did have anything nice to say, you do not say anything. They have at least said it nicer. Mrs. does not practice this don’t say anything all if it isn’t nice notion. The Dutch are a rather forward folk. They can be nice about it however forward, blunt and if you are not used to it, rude. This is different, this is mean. Just mean. This is a box someone sits in with of their things and their world; this is what they like and what they know, all else is unacceptable and not allowed. Ignorant, bubble sitting and fearful. This not the first time we have collided with comments like this and it won’t be the last I am sure.

Snoopy is sitting in her wooden house inside her cage sleeping with her sister at the moment. If I go near the cage her sister Terri will run up the cage in search of food. We will learn more tonight. In the mean time I will keep my fingers and toes crossed for her.

I will hear you laugh

There are little trinkets throughout the house that remind me; show me that you were a part of this world. There is a prayer book alongside my bed and a picture where I brush my hair. Where I take my meal there are more pictures and your wedding movie. These things remind. Yet I cannot hear your laugh, smell your cigarette smoke and feel your boney hugs. Things cannot bring you to me, they merely remind this world you are no long of it, just once in it. I have vivid memories of you homemade dinners and toys tucked appropriately after use. The child who came to see you and the clocks that chimed hourly plague me once in a while. My bookshelves remind me of your own, though I do not allow the clowns to haunt me. All these things I see and see; I visualize and stimulate to keep you with me. A cliché so I cannot be left with guilt every year. I go to church and light a candle and hope that it will erase that guilt. One can hope. Maybe you will forgive me. Next year will be better. I will hear you laugh.