One day when I was growing up, I wandered into the kitchen just after my mom returned home from a trip to the grocery store. As she was unpacking, she reached into one of the bags and pulled out a disposable razor, which she handed it to me without a word.
I was an astute fourteen year old, so no words were needed, and I was thrilled to join the exciting world of People Who Shave.
I managed to get through my first session without any cuts. Clearly I was a total natural.
Weeks passed, I kept shaving, and life marched on. Then one day, when I was admittedly a bit stubbly and overdue for some quality Bic time, the girl with the gym locker next to mine looked at me as we were changing into our track and field uniforms.
Looking me over, she suddenly said “You shave your ARMS?”, in an incredulous voice intended for the girls around us.
I glanced at her hairy, unshaved arms. Clearly she wasn’t as mature as me yet, so I proudly replied, “Yeah, you DON’T?!”
The girls around us burst out laughing, and shortly they headed out of the locker room still cracking jokes about me.
This was the first moment that it ever crossed my mind that I didn’t actually know what body parts females typically shave. I’d guessed it was arms that day when my mom handed me the razor. But I’d guessed wrong.
Alas, that wasn’t the last coming of age experience I thought I was on top of but was, in actuality, rather clueless about. Oh the jubilation of growing up.
But that's not going to happen around here. Because tomorrow night, Bunch and I are going to have our first shaving party! (Que music and confetti).
She’s starting junior high in a couple weeks, and apparently EVERYONE already shaves their legs. ("if all your friends jumped off a cliff, would you jump too!?") I've told her that it's not fun, a hassle, and whatnot, but she is fixed in her mind.
So we will sit on the edge of the bath, and after a demonstration from her VERY wise and experienced mother, she’ll join the ranks of Those Who Use a Razor. I’ll have the tourniquets handy.
Then we shall paint our toes pretty, and celebrate this milestone in her life by wearing summer skirts and walking over for a.... Shave Ice, naturally. I think this also means she’s old enough to assume tub-cleaning responsibilities, too. Glory Hallelujah and Amen.
Seems like the Golden Age Of Childhood (ages 8 - 12 ) is the season of parenting that has flown by the fastest. For just a little while longer, both kids are in this delightful phase. I've loved every age of their lives so far, and I don't expect that to change as they move into the teen years. But far too quickly for my preferences they'll be off on their own adventures.
Grateful for:
1) A fantastic, daughter that I have a great relationship with.
2) My fabulous Gator and his recent growth and personal development.
3) A husband who works hard and is trustworthy.
4) Friends you fall in love with from the moment you meet them.
5) Support. And I’m not talking about the hose kind.
9 comments:
i remember in 6th grade a girl made fun of me because i didn't shave yet. i went home shortly there after and DRY SHAVED one foot on the sink and the other on the floor all the hair off my legs. i did not clean out the sink and my mother was....hmm...let's just say not happy with the mess or with my smoothish (really still prickly) legs.
your way is so much better :-)
I enjoy your 5 things today.
Can't believe I never heard about this before. You are too funny! If it had been the swim team in the locker room with you nobody would have been laughing. It's an annual swim team season-ending ritual to let it all grow out then shave your entire body to minimize drag during finals. Ahh those days.
Did you at least include your arm pits in your initial arm shaving? I remember a few times not paying attention and gashing my ankles or shins so bad I thought I'd bleed to death in the shower. Then I discovered the simple joys of Epilady and have been happily plucking ever since.
I only shave for reallllly special occasions now which means like 4 times per year. Maybe I need to have more special occasions.
What an awesome mom you are! I will have to remember your celebration for when my daughter reaches that age. And I love the story of your first shaving adventure, though I'm sorry you got laughed at.
love this. love it.
So funny!
My (male) cousin has a similar story where his mom left deodorant on his bed without any explanation, and he rubbed it all up and down his legs and arms and went off to school that way. Thanks to his story, I knew to tell my son what to do with the stuff.
(Hi, I followed the link from your comment at Navel Gazing because I was intrigued by all the hearts.)
I also came here from Sue's place, because I liked your tone and am just as puzzled about why people don't leave scads of comments on me- - I know you didn't say that, but I could tell.
It's late, and I'm stupid, but I'm remembering now all the strips of epi and other layers of dermis I've skinned off myself over the years. My mom didn't teach me anything either. I don't mean to disparage her, but you know - our daughters (I'm probably old enough to be your mother twice and so probably shouldn't have just mashed you and me together in an us) have it a little better: mothers who are a little better at walking their kids through these things.
The great relationship thing? It takes two. And cleaning house and feeding the family and being there for emergencies doesn't really take the place of sharing the moment.
Hope you didn't mind the intrusion.
Just wanted to send you a {{{hug}}}. I was away at boarding school when I decided it was time for me to start shaving (I never got permission from my mom)--I knew it was my legs because my roommates were doing it. It just makes my heart sad to hear your childhood experiences, but then I love to hear how you are creating awesome memories with your children!
Aw how happy :) I like that you're making it a mother-daughter moment?
Me? I didn't start shaving my legs 'till I was 14. I can't remember if I believed my Mom that it was a hassle or I was just very stuck in my ways of not doing what all the other kids were doing.
Finally, I'm starting to catch up on everyone's blogs! This post hits very close to home, as I had a rather uninvolved mother and had to learn a lot of things the hard way. One of my sister's best friends back in the day (I only found this out recently) assumed that you shaved ALL hair in the leg (or pubic) region. Guess it was pretty painful until she realized it was unneccesary. :)
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