I enjoy the bizarre symbolism of the 3rd panel. Elly and her grocery cart are shrunken compared to the giant amorphous gray cash register and waves upward to giant silhouettes of people in the store.
Poor Elly. Her son would give up his time to write 8 pages to his girlfriend and give his mom only 5 minutes calls. I think that’s pretty typical. Children marry and dedicate their lives and time to their spouses and give parents a couple of hours on holidays and occasional visits. That’s the way of life these days. I am experiencing this myself and I can relate to Elly.
To put this in historical perspective, that back in 1994, Michael couldn’t likely afford to call his girl because he had to use a land line with long distance charges which likely if he had to say out loud 8 pages worth would likely have been $10 worth of long distance charges!
Approximately 50 cents back then for a postage stamp would
Yes this is typical. I remember when my eldest brother got his first serious girlfriend. He may have still lived at home but he wasn’t really “home” since in his mind he was always with her. After they were married I remember how shocked and upset I was to learn he was spending Thanksgiving with her family instead of with us. Lucky for him my mother was much more understanding. But I grew to really hate the expression “A son’s a son till he takes a wife, a daughter’s a daughter all her life.”
He loves his mom, but he’s not in love with his mom, he is in love with his girlfriend and misses his girl. Big difference. It’s hard to be away from your better half.
Parents (And it’s usually mothers) have a hard time recognizing and accepting that they are not the very center of their children’s universe anymore as they spread their wings into adulthood.
When I joined the army I never wrote home, I came home on leave occasionally and nothing was said. After six years I left and I went home briefly, the first thing my mother said when I walked through the door was “thanks for writing!”. It never occurred to me that I was missed, I was the middle one of 4 (younger twins).
A good story arc could be where Elly is told that there will be a black prime minister before she gets a job with her educational background. Ergo, Elly decides to go to Michael’s college to complete her education. Then she says “Isn’t this great; now we can see each other every day. We will be just like pals”, to the look of contorted horror on Micheal’s face.
My friends have the opposite problem, children and grandchildren that constantly come back to sponge off them. Raise your children to succeed and yes they will see you on rare occasions, but they won’t bleed you dry in your old age.
Michael seems oblivious to the fact that for nearly 20 years those who provided a home for him, cooked his meals, kept lights on, put clothes on his back and filled his room with toys and electronics were Elly and John. Not Rhetta.
Welcome to your new reality, Ellie. When they fly the nest, you are no longer the center of their world. It is as nature intended, and that means you did your job. Will you worry? Of course! Get used to it!
Asharah 10 months ago
AWWWW! She misses him!
howtheduck 10 months ago
I enjoy the bizarre symbolism of the 3rd panel. Elly and her grocery cart are shrunken compared to the giant amorphous gray cash register and waves upward to giant silhouettes of people in the store.
9thCapricorn 10 months ago
Poor Elly. Her son would give up his time to write 8 pages to his girlfriend and give his mom only 5 minutes calls. I think that’s pretty typical. Children marry and dedicate their lives and time to their spouses and give parents a couple of hours on holidays and occasional visits. That’s the way of life these days. I am experiencing this myself and I can relate to Elly.
Last Rose Of Summer Premium Member 10 months ago
What? You’re only his mother. I know, I have a son too.
French Persons Premium Member 10 months ago
That is rather typical. It’s nothing personal, Elly.
j_m_kuehl 10 months ago
At least Michael’s, budgeting his Money, hasn’t had to write home for more
M2MM 10 months ago
All grown sons (with girlfriends) are like this. It’s pretty normal.
dcdete. 10 months ago
To put this in historical perspective, that back in 1994, Michael couldn’t likely afford to call his girl because he had to use a land line with long distance charges which likely if he had to say out loud 8 pages worth would likely have been $10 worth of long distance charges!
Approximately 50 cents back then for a postage stamp would
Macushlalondra 10 months ago
Yes this is typical. I remember when my eldest brother got his first serious girlfriend. He may have still lived at home but he wasn’t really “home” since in his mind he was always with her. After they were married I remember how shocked and upset I was to learn he was spending Thanksgiving with her family instead of with us. Lucky for him my mother was much more understanding. But I grew to really hate the expression “A son’s a son till he takes a wife, a daughter’s a daughter all her life.”
dlkrueger33 10 months ago
As it should be, Mom!
Robert Nowall Premium Member 10 months ago
Single- or double-spaced?
Man of the Woods 10 months ago
He loves his mom, but he’s not in love with his mom, he is in love with his girlfriend and misses his girl. Big difference. It’s hard to be away from your better half.
BJDucer 10 months ago
Parents (And it’s usually mothers) have a hard time recognizing and accepting that they are not the very center of their children’s universe anymore as they spread their wings into adulthood.
Prey 10 months ago
When I joined the army I never wrote home, I came home on leave occasionally and nothing was said. After six years I left and I went home briefly, the first thing my mother said when I walked through the door was “thanks for writing!”. It never occurred to me that I was missed, I was the middle one of 4 (younger twins).
brick10 10 months ago
And how often has she written Michael? And end with the line "Don’t spend this $10 all in one place!
miss c 10 months ago
What is wrong with boy. Write you mother
EXCALABUR 10 months ago
No Letters For You!
PoodleGroomer 10 months ago
She is losing him.
kamoolah 10 months ago
Brian and Dawn’s mom would likely be more relaxed, saying that Elly should be not be wrapped around the axle about this.
“All he did was send a retta to Lhetta”
Daltongang Premium Member 10 months ago
Ellie, it doesn’t take 8 pages to ask for money.
John Jorgensen 10 months ago
Oh, yes, good job Michael. Devote all your energy into keeping touch with some forgettable high school fling now that high school’s over.
The Great_Black President 10 months ago
A good story arc could be where Elly is told that there will be a black prime minister before she gets a job with her educational background. Ergo, Elly decides to go to Michael’s college to complete her education. Then she says “Isn’t this great; now we can see each other every day. We will be just like pals”, to the look of contorted horror on Micheal’s face.
mindjob 10 months ago
Adolescant boys can’t talk to their moms about most things
BeniHanna6 Premium Member 10 months ago
My friends have the opposite problem, children and grandchildren that constantly come back to sponge off them. Raise your children to succeed and yes they will see you on rare occasions, but they won’t bleed you dry in your old age.
g04922 10 months ago
And Mike obviously misses Rhetta…
Enter.Name.Here 10 months ago
Every mama has to let go of their babies eventually. Sorry about that.
USN1977 10 months ago
Michael seems oblivious to the fact that for nearly 20 years those who provided a home for him, cooked his meals, kept lights on, put clothes on his back and filled his room with toys and electronics were Elly and John. Not Rhetta.
Aladar30 Premium Member 10 months ago
What a great boyfriend!
mistercatworks 10 months ago
The trick is cut-and-paste.
[Unnamed Reader - 14b4ce] 10 months ago
It’s MEGAFOOD,where teenage workers go to die and be forgotten
eced52 10 months ago
8 pages Michael and you can’t even drop your Mom a post card?
ktrabbit 10 months ago
Welcome to your new reality, Ellie. When they fly the nest, you are no longer the center of their world. It is as nature intended, and that means you did your job. Will you worry? Of course! Get used to it!
The Great_Black President 10 months ago
Rhetta’s supposed to be in college. Why isn’t she?