July 1, 2015
The Night I Almost Met You


Dr. Laura, 

Quite a few years ago, you were going to appear at a local bookstore. I never had the urge to be in the presence of my favorite singers or actors, but I VERY much wanted to hear what someone I respected so highly had to say. Weeks in advance, I arranged for my 15-year-old babysitter to come over after school so I would get to see you in time.  On the day of your appearance, she called to tell me she could not come because her mother (still married to her father and living with him at home) wanted her to clean the house so that her boyfriend (yes, the mother's boyfriend) would not see the mess when he visited. Is that ironic or what? I missed seeing you because someone who really should have seen and heard you was doing something she would not be doing if she thought like you. I was so mad - mad that I'd miss meeting you, and mad at my babysitter's mother for setting such a horrible example. 

At 17, my babysitter had a child out of wedlock by her abusive boyfriend. At 20, she had another child out of wedlock with another man. Her mother welcomed both men into her home and let them sleep over whenever they wanted. As of today, they all live together at the mom and dad's house. I don't have much contact with them anymore - just a sad thing.  What are my former babysitter's children going to grow up thinking is right?

Paulette


Posted by Staff at 12:00 AM