You guys,
My parents don’t know about Charlie Bleecker.
They know I write but they don’t know what kind of writing or what it’s for or why I do it. And they don’t ask.
Until last week.
Mom and Dad came to visit and the morning they were about to leave for the airport my mom showed a genuine interest in my writing. It was finally my chance to engage and tell her about what I’ve been doing for the past two years.
But I froze.
When Mom asked me if there was a way for them to read my writing I responded by shaking my head and saying, “No.” This was followed by silence until Dad said, “She’s probably writing about us.”
…
I know. I totally blew it.
I think I know why.
I come from a family where everyone competes to speak. If you’re telling a story and take a breath, someone will take that to mean you’ve finished and bogart the conversation. You might have even been telling a gripping story. It doesn’t matter. My family love love loves to hijack a conversation and take it somewhere far away from whatever you were trying to talk about.
So whenever I start talking about something that is important to me I feel like I need to speak quickly and succinctly or I’ll lose them. They’ll start telling a very important and fascinating story about someone I went to high school with who “now has three kids and the middle one is NOT cute but looks just like the mom when she was a kid.”
Sorry. If I have to be on the receiving end of this “story” then so do you.
Still, my mom asked about my writing. She does care. She is interested.
Now the ball’s in my court to figure out how to tell her about this thing that is so important to me. And when I do, I don’t want to rush through it.
But I will probably write a script and practice beforehand.
Obsessed
My friend Cam wrote this short piece that made me smile and chuckle and even gave me some warm, fuzzy feelings.
Maybe it was all the talk about argyle sweaters (I love an argyle sweater). Or maybe it was because Cam shared a personal and playful side that had me giggling and re-reading multiple times.
Whatever it was, I’m obsessed with it. Enjoy.
Bleecker Bombs
Episode 6 is out!
Sam and I share something we haven’t talked about with anyone, not even our closest friends.
Listen to the episode on Spotify, overcast.fm, Google Podcasts, or Apple Podcasts.
And thank you to everyone who sent in their stories and questions. I loved hearing from you!
Keep the feedback coming. Is there something you’d like to hear me and Sam discuss? Our prenup? Our relationship with alcohol? More marital arguments? (Plenty to choose from.)
Let’s get comfortable getting uncomfortable. :)
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Until next week,
Charlie