Friday, March 30, 2012

one difference between a mother and a grandmother


So here I am sitting in bed with a laptop - no change there, you might think. But here in SF it is time to be asleep. Lovely little Lux in the room next door has had a disturbed night, and so have I. I have only been in to see here a couple of times to settle her, whereas Wendy has been in far too many for her own comfort. It is likely that I (the Gran) enjoy cuddling a wakeful bundle of fun in a rocking chair in the middle of the night rather more than Wendy (the mother) does. The difference is what happens afterwards. When I was a young and exhausted parent, I could go to sleep anywhere, even sitting on the loo. Now I am an ancient crone, once I'm disturbed I lie awake. But I came to see my family, didn't I? And that's what I am doing, and loving it.
I just wish I'd brought more cheerful novels along to read on my holiday, because lying awake is sometimes like that Fleur Adcock poem - Things: "It is 5.a.m. All the worse things come stalking in and stand icily about the bed looking worse and worse and worse."
I brought with me The Secret Scripture, which is wonderful - of course. (Sebastian Barry is my latest writing hero.) East of Eden is a classic: I always bring a Steinbeck to read when I'm here. Rose Tremain's Temptation is also on my bedside table. But why are all serious books also rather miserable? Can you tell me one that is substantial and thought-provoking without making you feel desperate when you're reading it?
Aha! Just been to the sitting room and looked on the bookshelves and found Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler - just the ticket.


p.s. If you live in India, and you have arrived at this post after searching for differences between mothers and grandmothers, I would love it if you would tell me WHY you are looking for this topic. I have had a lot of hits from India on this post and I am intrigued as to why...

6 comments:

Miranda Kemp said...

Have you ever read any Joseph O'Connor, Sue? You'd love Ghost Light! Have a lovely time in SF!

Sue Hepworth said...

Hi Miranda! I read Star of the Sea, and that's pretty miserable and beautifully written. I will check out Ghost Light. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Hiii........

Anonymous said...

I live in India n the reason u have most hits from India is because the difference between my mother n grandmother is an essay topic all 9th grade students R being graded on

Sue Hepworth said...

Thank you so much for telling me!

Sue Hepworth said...

Please can you tell me what the answers would be - in India?