I got to talk with Horse Jr. for an hour yesterday!

@TheHorse (226269)

Walnut Creek, California

June 8, 2023 11:30am CST

Horse Jr. called out of the blue yesterday. His mom was at work, so we were able to talk freely, without her "answering for him," as she often does when I speak with both of them at the same time. His Grandfather is visiting from Croatia, so he and his Grandpa have been doing some projects together at his mom's house. Horse Jr. is 14 now, and says he can't wait to be 18, so he can move out of his mother's house. Of course I quoted my late father and said "Don't wish your years away." He said his mother is still bossy, yells at him a lot, and changes her mind about things in an instant. The sweetest thing he said was "Sometimes you don't know what you have until you don't have it any more." (@FourWalls will know what Joni song started playing in my head, though I didn't mention it.) He was referencing coming over to my house to cycle, play music, work on speakers, or do homework together. He told me his heart rate went down as soon as he was here, and that he felt a sense of relief and relaxation. My heart smiled. It was good to talk to him without his mom there, as we used to do endlessly when they lived two doors down. Hopefully we'll get to chat again soon.

20 people like this

18 responses

Vicki, #1 Creek Girl

@1creekgirl (43502)

• United States

8 Jun 23

That was such a sweet post. Are they planning on moving back to California?

4 people like this

@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jun 23

No, I think his mom is happy in North Carolina.

2 people like this

@kaylachan (77487)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

8 Jun 23

Hopefully he' doing pretty well, despite wanting to leave home of course.

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@kaylachan (77487)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

8 Jun 23

@TheHorse Glad you can keep in contact with him at least.

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jun 23

@kaylachan I am happy about that too. But I worry. Him mom is a resourceful lady. But she has some odd ideas.

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jun 23

He's a bright kid. He should do well if he continues to have positive influences in his life.

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@AmbiePam (97950)

• United States

8 Jun 23

I'm glad he had the conversation to himself! How often do you get to see him in person? *I see below me you live quite a ways away. I'm sorry.

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@AmbiePam (97950)

• United States

8 Jun 23

@TheHorse That just stinks. I know if you could afford it it, you would.

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jun 23

I haven't seen them in person since they moved away two years ago.

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jun 23

@AmbiePam I can afford it. I just haven't had the time.

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@LadyDuck (473955)

• Switzerland

9 Jun 23

This kid surely miss being with you and he is so right, you realize that you miss something only after you have it no more.

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jun 23

I admit to missing my Graduate School days in Santa Barbara. I was with like-minded people and had a real sense of purpose.

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@LadyDuck (473955)

• Switzerland

9 Jun 23

@TheHorse I miss my days as a student. My parents took care of me, I had no worries, I had no problems.

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jun 23

@LadyDuck Heh. I certainly miss the feeling of protection that comes with having older family members.

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@DaddyEvil (147613)

• United States

9 Jun 23

I'm glad he seems to be doing okay and wanted to call and talk to you without his mom around. I'm sure it did you good to have time to spend talking with him, too. He seems like a really good kid, pony... You helped him a lot.

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@DaddyEvil (147613)

• United States

9 Jun 23

@TheHorse You're welcome. I hope he does, too.

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jun 23

@DaddyEvil He did tell me that he's spending less time on the internet. That's a good thing. But he has not been playing his piano.

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jun 23

Thanks, DE, I hope he continues to prosper.

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@CarolDM (203410)

• Nashville, Tennessee

9 Jun 23

What a great conversation. So very happy for you. He sounds very mature.

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jun 23

He's a bright kid. But he's not as motivated in school as I would like him to be.

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jun 23

@CarolDM I hope to stick around long enough to be there for him as he transitions into his adult years.

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@CarolDM (203410)

• Nashville, Tennessee

9 Jun 23

@TheHorse As a parent, we always want more and of course, the best for our children. I am sure he will get there.

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@GardenGerty (163399)

• United States

8 Jun 23

I hope there is no way he will get into trouble for calling you. I bet it makes your heart happy to know how many good memories he has.

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jun 23

I don't think he'd get in trouble for calling me.

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@BarBaraPrz (49573)

• St. Catharines, Ontario

8 Jun 23

So, paradise isn't completely paved over.

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jun 23

I hope not. Interesting that he would have that insight at the tender age of 14. I did turn him on to some music he never heard, but never Joni Mitchell.

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@Jenaisle (14078)

• Philippines

9 Jun 23

I think you deserve congratulations. You were able to spend a wonderful time with your son. I hope your wish will come true of spending time with him again.

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jun 23

I'll try to be proactive late this Summer. We'll see what happens.

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@FourWalls (74468)

• United States

9 Jun 23

Yeah, you pave paradise and put up a parking lot. You’re right to tell him not to wish his life away, although I know what he means because he’s in a situation that’s unpleasant for him.

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@FourWalls (74468)

• United States

9 Jun 23

@TheHorse — I remember you saying she licks Orangeface’s boots.

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jun 23

@FourWalls I haven't discussed politics with her recently. That's probably a good thing.

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jun 23

His mom is odd. She can make any space look beautiful. But she is anti-education and a conspiracy theorist.

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Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (318816)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

8 Jun 23

It was wonderful that you could talk to him. I hope you have more calls in the future.

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jun 23

I hope so too!

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jun 23

@just4him We'll see if it happens.

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Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (318816)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

8 Jun 23

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@JudyEv (352842)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Jun 23

That's so nice that he said those things. It would have been a great conversation. And nice that his grandfather is visiting too.

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jun 23

I hope he has fun with his Grandfather. Horse Jr. told me his Croatian is not good enough for technical discussions with his Grandfather. His Grandfather does not speak English. When he was here, he and I spoke in French, and in mathematical formulas. It was fun.

2 people like this

Anindita Sengupta

@aninditasen (17032)

• Raurkela, India

9 Jun 23

That's lovely. Hope Horse Jr. does come to meet you and does all the things here wants to do with you but then don't you think 14 is too young a age to move out of home.

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jun 23

More likely, I'll go visit them. He wants to move out when he's 18. We talked about both college and trade school.

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Anindita Sengupta

@aninditasen (17032)

• Raurkela, India

10 Jun 23

@TheHorse Have a good time with him. Hope he does well both in school and college.

@LindaOHio (188220)

• United States

9 Jun 23

I understand his pain. When I moved out when I was 21, I felt a giant weight lift off my shoulders. Of course, my father disowned me; but that's the price you pay for freedom. I'm glad you got to talk to Horse Jr. without any interruptions. Have a great weekend.

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jun 23

Why did your dad "disown" you? 21 sounds like a reasonable age to move out and sow your own oats.

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@LindaOHio (188220)

• United States

10 Jun 23

@TheHorse I was supposed to live at home until I got married. Being out on my own was a real revelation. There's life out there!!!

@Letranknight2015 (52263)

• Philippines

9 Jun 23

You can't blame if he has a mom that's just cranky at times. But you're right it's a harsh world out there, he missed his mom when he realized threre are worst things out there.

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jun 23

He missed his mom?

@wolfgirl569 (115761)

• Marion, Ohio

8 Jun 23

Glad to hear he is doing good

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jun 23

I hope he continues to give me a call now and again.

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@RasmaSandra (84712)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

9 Jun 23

Sounds like you have one fine son who seems to take after you, Will you see him during the summer?

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jun 23

I hope to see him late in the Summer.

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@Butterfingers (66607)

• India

8 Jun 23

Cannot you meet him face to face

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@TheHorse (226269)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jun 23

Well, they live 2500 miles away. I may go visit them late in the Summer or at Thanksgiving. We shall see.

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