Friday, January 4, 2008

Sweet And Sour



“Dip, Dip, Dip…
Add some sugar,
And the cream,
The tea is ready to sip”

This was a favorite ad-jingle of mine growing up. It ran through my mind as I went dip, dip, dip to make tea this morning. A sudden holler from my husband had me stopping in my tracks.

“Trixxx, come on over, you’ve got to see this”.
“Hold on, I am nearly done…”
“Hurry up! You wouldn’t want to miss this” Tom shouted.
“A ‘right, I am coming!” I hurried through the process, the dips long forgotten, sugar and cream dumped in a flurry, tea cups slammed into the tray as I rushed into the sunroom where Tom was.

“Here’s your tea, what was that all about? Why did you ….? Where’s ….?”
“Look, Trish…, look” he pointed my attention toward the bay windows.


I turned around then lost my breath. Anna, my daughter was taking her very first steps. Letting go of the windowsill and walking, rather wobbling toward me! All her concentration set on putting one step in front of the other then whoosh…she falls down. I run to her and she flashes me a toothless grin! With tears in my eyes I look back at Tom who is also grinning from ear to ear. Only for a few seconds though! He takes his very first sip of tea and his face changes colors. He looks pained and then spits out the contents back into the tea…eek! I look on with surprise, a question dawning at the back of the mind, refusing to admit the horrible answer. I did it again and as I meet Tom’s eyes, I have my answer…

In my hurry, the “Add some sugar” became ‘salt’!! My absentminded gene has popped up again, right on New Year’s Day, washing my resolution down the drain along with the contents of the tea. You see, I had promised myself to be more alert and less absentminded this year. I said I wouldn’t lock myself out the door or search for glasses as they sit majestically on my very nose. I promised to never throw my car keys into the trash nor wear the pjs’ inside out… only to break it the first opportunity I get. I should have known! Some resolutions are best not made. What is genetic cannot be changed….is my theory. :) What do you think? :)


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In response to the prompt from Friday Fiction
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21 comments:

Unknown said...

I've just had to embrace my absent mindedness and laugh at it. After all it makes life interesting, and try as I might, it's not going away.

Keith's Ramblings said...

How I remember my kids first steps! They have children of their own now, but those moments will never be forgotten. As for resolutions - forget them! Be yourself and if that means being absentminded then so be it!

lissa said...

There's nothing wrong with being a little absent-minded? Like Square1 said, it does keeps things interesting.

Have a good week.

PJD said...

At least it was a very good reason for breaking the resolution. And I think there's some wiggle room there since it was really hurried distraction and not absent-mindedness that caused the mix-up this time.

Fun read, thanks!

Tumblewords: said...

What's a little mistake in the excitement of watching first steps? Love your post! It reminded me of the time when my brother and I were young and make from scratch brownies with laundry powder instead of flour. Absent-minded? Maybe. :)

Whitesnake said...

i was going to say something but i forgot what it was.


Giggle!

Lucy said...

Congrats to babies first steps! Those exciting memories will NEVER be forgotten, but as for forgetfulness... I agree with Keith's advice. Don't worry Ul... Be relaxed and if that means you search for glasses that are on your nose... Who cares?!

Whitesnake said...

I had intended to say something but I forgot waht it was........

****Sigh and giggle*********

Anonymous said...

What a wondorous, gorgeous, moment ... "pass the salt" will always be a special reminder!

Jodi Cleghorn said...

First I thought that it had to do with the fact that I ran multiple things through my head simultaneously, then I thought it was due to the lack organisation, then it was blamed on pregnancy, followed by breastfeeding ... now its just a case of - well systems ... keys go in a certain place, as does the bag and purse etc.

What's a little salt when such sweet things are happening - perhaps it was an unconscious way of knowing you were about to witness one of the sweetest moment of your life to date.

Forgetfulone said...

Congrats on baby's first steps.

Beau Brackish said...

I subscribe to your theory. There is no getting around DNA. I lose things all the time too. It can't be helped. I blame my parents. There goes that pesky DNA again.

Robin said...

Those first steps are so magical. I'm sure the salt was quickly forgotten in the wonder of the moment.

Keith's Ramblings said...

Thanks for pointing in the direction of Fiction Friday. I've had a go!

Anonymous said...

I remember faces, forget names! No genetica there..:D

Unknown said...

I am absent minded, and proud of it....beautiful to see those first steps.
This is my first week doing Sunday Scribblings:
http://wannabeawritersomeday.blogspot.com/2008/01/sunday-scribbles-edition-1.htmlings

Devil Mood said...

I agree with you: if you were always absent-minded, there's no way you can control that. And people may find that endearing about you, I think :)

What was also endearing was that story...who cares about salt in the tea when your daughter is walking for the 1st time? :)

Anonymous said...

Even with the salt mishap what a beautiful story. Congrats on your daughter taking her first steps.

aMus said...

:)...wasn't that sweet?

rel said...

UL,
I think you have an amzing wit!
rel

little wing writer said...

when i saw the teapot and read your first lines i thought of the mad hatter's tea party...just start at the beginning and when you come to the end, stop...yeppers...