Single Mom Slice of Life: Jello Scares The Hell Out Of Me.. And Other Things I've Learned In This Life

Single Mom Slice of Life:
Jello Scares The Hell Out Of Me..
And Other Things I’ve Learned In This Life

Normally, I’m not a fan of the Facebook games but recently there was a wave of “name # of unknown facts about yourself.” It was interesting to me in that I learned a lot of things about my friends and family that I didn’t already know. Then, I received the #10. It was harder than I would have thought to come up with ten interesting facts about myself that not everyone knew.

But, I did the work, and by golly I’m gonna share it! Ok, not all of it, because quite frankly, the fact that I still hold my breath when driving through a tunnel even if I’m the only one in the car, just isn’t that interesting, but I was nearing #10, and running out of facts.

Plus, I’m usually writing about my kids. In the spirit of the change I’m trying to instill and accept in my life, I’ve made a New Year’s Resolution to take more time for me. Also, I’m doing my best to accept what I’ve in the past always considered bad things, or faults. So, in no particular order, here are a few that my friends commented on most:

1. I HAVE A SERIOUS AND
INTENSE FEAR OF JELL-O

Ok, yes. It’s true. I’m not making it up. I’m not trying to be funny. I mean, seriously – what is it? Is it a solid? A liquid? Because a solid shouldn’t shake or shimmy like that. A liquid shouldn’t stand upright like that! Nope. Not in this lifetime. Not now. Not ever. It’s not natural. It’s not… *shudder*. Let’s agree to never discuss this ever again in life. Ever.

2. I CANNOT WATCH MOVIES BASED
ON REAL-LIFE TRAGEDIES

Knowing that at some point, a human being suffered that kind of intense pain or injustice does not bring me enjoyment. My stomach clenches in empathy over a paper cut or feelings of injustice, for crying out loud. War, natural disaster, discrimination of any type – in simplest terms, I simply can’t stomach it.

3. I COLLECT BOOKS, BUT NOT
JUST ANY OLD BOOKS

I’m a HUGE fan of books. Fiction, autobiographies, fact books. To me, books are trophies, they are awards of having learned a new fact, phrase, or a new way of looking at…anything. And if someone else thought enough of another person to prevent them with such a present, then I’ve found not just another gift, but one with history, love, and usually words of wisdom.

4. I HAVE OCD

As a single mom the more I try to control something, I learn I control nothing. This need has manifested in other ways. I have to have everything even and equal. My shelves have the exact same number of DVDs or books on each shelf across and down. (They’re alphabetized too, but that’s another issue.) My air freshener hangs on the blinker bar so that it hangs at the same height as my keys.

5. I CAN CURSE IN THREE LANGUAGES

Part of it was that I loved the possibility of being bilingual. It seems like such an amazing thing! Then, I liked being able to curse in front of the kids without them knowing I was cursing. (Reminder – this is GOOD ENOUGH mother, not perfect.) However, it turns out that though I can duplicate most accents, I just can’t say a full sentence. So, I learned the dirty parts. I’m not proud.

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So there you go, five facts about myself that prove, not only am I flawed, but my kids never had a shot of being normal. What about you? What – let’s call them quirks – do you have that make you unique? Do you own them, or hide them? How have you learned to deal with them?

Wendy Syler Woodward has been a single parent since 2002, with two boys ages 13 and 18. Originally from southern California, Wendy moved her family to Phoenix where she manages a law firm for work, writes for fun, and has returned to college for her B.A. Follow her on Twitter @WendySyler.