The Great Reveal

I'm excited to share that Publishing Syndicate has published one of my slice-of-life stories, ‘Rules,’ in their newest anthology release, ‘Not Your Mother’s Book – On Being a Mom.’ This anthology is full of stories about moms, by moms – funny, endearing and tell-it-like-it-is honest.

In my story, ‘Rules,’ I share my gratitude towards landlords and their rules. When my boys were young, they didn’t just want hamsters or gerbils as pets – oh no, of course not! They wanted anything of the exotic, much to my unease. Praying mantises, scorpions, tarantulas – you name it. But luckily (for me, at least), the landlord at the time had strict rules about tenants keeping and caring for such potentially hazardous little beasts. So with the rules of the landlord as my weapon, I was able to fend off my little charges from having anything of the exotic nature, and despite my usual distaste of rules, I was thankful for his.


I wrote the story a few years ago, and when the call came out for such anthology about being a mom I thought, “Aha! I have the perfect story!” Much to my glee, they chose the story for publication, and after waiting, and editing, and waiting, and more editing – as is how it is in the writing world – I finally have the finished product in my hands to share with you.

BUT.....

I’m a sham.

What the story really does is reveal my weakness as a mother.

As time goes on not only am I aware of my ever-increasing age and, likewise, theirs, never mind my shrinking height and their ever-increasing height, but I am also aware of how much of a minority I am. And how often I have to pick my battles.

Not only did I lose that battle, but I am now the proud grandmother of two scorpions and two tarantulas.

I sure did lose that battle!

The present landlord is fine with the non-escaping, non-life-threatening little beings. I put up with the occasional escaped, menu-destined, cricket I find in the bathroom when I come out of the shower (not fun). But I don’t condemn the little bouncing beings in their quest to escape. I would too, if I were them.

And despite my shame in thinking I have failed as a mother, my heart swells with pride in seeing the love, care and concern the boys put into raising their previously-banned friends.

Maybe I’m doing something right, after all.

Thanks for reading!

Lisa