Sunday, July 29, 2007

Oh

It started. Today was another summer event for Monkey's new school, this one for just the new families, and the families of outgoing and incoming kindergarteners. I was imagining a smalish gathering. But by the time everyone got there, the place was positively teaming with kids. Big kids, little kids, babies. And a pregnant mom. But even before the crunch time, the head of the parents association wondered up to us to talk to us and to Monkey. And there it was, the first of many, I am sure.

"So is she your one child, or do you have any more?" The question didn't leave me much room to maneuver (at the last school event someone asked us whether Monkey was our oldest, and JD simply said "yes"), so I took what felt like a very deep breath, looked straight at her, and answered "We have one living child."

"Oh."

That's all she had--"Oh." But for some reason I found that my hands were shaking for good ten minutes afterwards.

5 comments:

S. said...

Oh, Julia, hugs.

niobe said...

I'm sure it was difficult, but it sounds like you handled that very well. The parents association head, on the other hand, did not.

Phantom Scribbler said...

That was the answer she deserved.

Beruriah said...

Why do people ask these questions and then make us feel bad about the answer?? No compassionate look, I'm sorry, or anything. I'm sorry these events are so difficult.

Lori said...

I've gotten "oh." too many times. I think it might be the response I hate most of all, because it so, nothing.

I'm sorry.