See that spot? Sit on it!
Oct 12th, 2005 by Accidental Thinker
The town I grew up in has grown up itself over the years, but when I was young, it wasn’t much more than a small retirement community. A boring existence for a kid, to be sure. I mean really, pity the poor people who lived in a place that didn’t even have a shopping mall to call their own! The nearest mall was far enough away that going there (at least with my family) often became a day-long event.
Naturally, my sister and I would get bored and fidgety during these excursions. Unless the shopping was for us, a day at the mall was a mind-numbing fate. We invariably entertained ourselves by playing hide and seek in the clothing racks of the department stores. There was something wonderfully appealing about slipping between those freshly hung clothes into spaces where I was sure no person had ever been. As long as we were reasonably quiet and stayed out of people’s way, my mother would let us carry on in this fashion for a while, but when she couldn’t tolerate our restless antics any more, out would pop one of her classic “mom-isms.” She’d point out an invisible spot on the floor and say, “See that spot? Sit on it.” I, ever the obedient child, always complied. I don’t think my sister ever did.
On at least one of those shopping trips, a beloved family friend, known to me as Aunt Marge, was visiting from out of town and witnessed just such an exchange. She was delighted that I would sit on the invisible spot. So she tried it too, and lo and behold, it worked! Even Aunt Marge had the power to make me sit on a spot that only she could see. It became something of a running joke between us. From then on, every time she visited, she would tell me to sit on the spot, and I would. Even into my college years and beyond.
I haven’t seen Aunt Marge since my wedding in 1994, which, not surprisingly, is the last time I sat on a spot for her. She’s still going strong, but she hasn’t been back here and I haven’t been there to visit since then. Smart money says the next time I see her, though, I’ll sit on that spot once more!
Well THAT was funny! I used to get in sooo much trouble for hiding in
the clothes as a kid. My mother was great for dragging us around
endless hours – why do people do that to very young children? There is
a limit. Do you use the same tactic mom????
That’s great! It’s great to have that “tradition” carry on for years. I
hope you see her soon, so you can obey her spot-sitting command.
Reminds me of the old Happy Days routine..Just sit on it Ralph! hehehehehe
Mike: No, so far I’ve never made my kids sit on a spot. I’ve said some other things that make me sound just like her, though!Jamie Dawn: Traditions are great! A lot of times you don’t even realize you’ve created them until you start looking back.steelcowboy: I always think of that too!
Isn’t it funny how we carry those old memories around into our adult life — and still respond to them.To this day my mother tells me I’m never too old to get a spanking. I make sure I’m out of arm’s reach. lol
Aww…what a cute story!!
I can say, with some measure of certainty, Mo, that I NEVER sat on the
spot…although I probably sat on YOU (who was sitting on the spot) to
be a pest!!! 🙂
That spot is still in my heart – and you promised me that someday you
would have Maia sit on that spot…I haven’t seen that but I hope it
becomes a reality someday so she can pass it along to her children.
Hey, and don’t forget the Turkey Song that Aunt Judy taught you so many
years ago but claims she wasn’t the one who taught you that song. We
still sing it to this day on Thanksgiving and I have taught it to so
many. I love you all so much and know that we will be together again
soon.