JOAN'S MOTHER REDIRECTED OUR PLAY GROUP
My father was a doctor and he thought I should be one as well. And that was fine with me. Mother was a nurse until her graduation from RN to MRS. Our family had all the medical advantages. We had cough syrups and mustard plasters and little liver pills. And for accuracy, fevers were calibrated by rectal thermometer.
My playmates had other life goals. Jacquelyn thought about being a librarian and Joan a teacher. I suggested they consider nursing and doctoring; they were just as happy with that. Eager to prepare for life, we set out for nurse, doctor and patient. Authenticity was important but equipment was a problem. For rectal thermoneter we had to make do with popsicle sticks lubricated with spit.
I made fascination discoveries. For one thing both Joan and Jacquelyn were curiously constructed and I was in some doubt as to where the "thermometer" should be poked. The girls giggled and corrected my aim. Science went marching on.
Then Joan's mother made a discovery too when she came into the yard to see what the giggling was about. She was kindly about it all but suggested we consider other occupations. So we did after Joan and her mother had some private words. Joan said her mother didn't want her to be a patient any more. Whether she wanted Joan to be the doctor or if she was worried about splinters, Joan did not say.
Friday, August 06, 2010
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Labels:
Childhood and Family Matters
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