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Meg Tilly

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Mothers and Daughters

Posted: 05/26/11 09:00 AM ET

I flew from Toronto to Newark this afternoon. It was very bumpy and took a long time to descend. I had melted my herbal motion sickness pills under my tongue and usually that means I'm good to go... not today.

I was sitting next to a very nice young man. He had kind eyes. His name was Lucien. He was a lawyer who advised companies about what the laws were with regard to mergers, etc. He seemed to really like his work. He was close to his family. He also happened to be... single.

I wonder if he and my daughter... but then, I shot it down, because, even if Lucien was game, which he probably wouldn't be, my daughter would never, ever, agree to go on a blind date that I set up. Never.

At least, I don't think she would.

Anyway, lucky for me, my daughter and Lucien too, nobody had to be embarrassed, because, right in the middle of my daydream about this nice Canadian boy and Emily falling in love, her moving back to Canada and getting married and having cute little dark haired babies with impossibly long eyelashes, the plane started bumping.

Just a few bobs and weaves to start and then more and more, and my herbal pills decided that they were for less vigorous occasions and this was not what they signed up for.

I spent the final 35 excruciating minutes of the flight, deep breathing, fanning my sweaty face with my customs card and praying I wouldn't have to hurl the contents of my stomach into one of those handy-dandy airline bags tucked in the pouch in front of me.

"Are you okay?" the never-to-be-son-in-law asked.

"Mmm..." I mumbled.

Finally we landed. I staggered to my feet and lurched off the plane, took a taxi to the hotel and recuperated. My daughter called. We arranged to meet at a restaurant in the East Village.

I was early, so I stood by a tree filled with little white fairy lights and waited for my daughter and her friend. I tried to casually scan sidewalk, my eyes, my heart hungry for the sight of her, five long months since I had seen her last.

Yet, I had to be careful, didn't want to seem too anxious. Don't want her to feel the pressure, the weight of my enormous, and sometimes suffocating love. Because seriously, whenever I see her, I want to scoop her up, hug her in my arms, cover her face with a million kisses, rub my cheek against her hair and breathe her in, like I used to when she was little.

"Hi Mom."

I whirled around and there she was, standing in front of me. My daughter.

"Hi Honey," I said, acting casual, giving her a quick hug, nothing too confining that she would need to escape from.

She introduced me to her friend and we entered the restaurant.

We made polite chit-chat about the flight, I didn't mention the nice young man. We touched on the weather, what we were going to eat, the play I'm going to be doing, her brothers. And all the while I was storing away memories to shore me up for the next huge stretch of time away, her living in Brooklyn and me in Canada.

We talked about her blog, TIWWCBF, that she's co-writing with a woman named Sheera. There was a bit of drama this week. I have not slept well for the last two nights ago because I was mad about something someone wrote in the comments. It's that primal mother thing. Usually, I'm very balanced but when somebody is mean to my kids I want to punch their lights out.

"It's fine, Mom. We've talked it over. It's fine."

I knew my daughter well enough to know that it was time for me to change the subject. I mention the Huffington Post Canada blog.

"What are you going to write about?" she asked, taking a sip of her wine.

"I don't know. They said I could write about anything I want."

"Well, Mom, it's the Huffington Post. You can't just do your regular kind of blogging where you chat about going downstairs to get your slippers."

"Sure, I can."

"Mom, it's got to be something bigger, more universal than putting on your slippers and eating some ice cream with berries."

I started to laugh, because she's right. That's what my blogs are usually like. And suddenly I get the big idea. It hits me like a jolt of lighting. I slapped the table with my hands. "Honey, I've got it!" half rising from my seat, "A mother daughter blog! We can do a blog. You and me"

"Mom, I've got a blog. I'm doing a blog with Sheera"

"Dump her." I couldn't believe how ruthless I sounded.

"Mom, seriously, no."

I knew she meant it, but it was too late. I've latched onto this idea like a starving dog. There is a voice inside whispering, "This is your chance, Meg. Don't mess it up. If you handle this right, you could be having weekly interactions with your beloved daughter about life, literature, love and whatever else comes up." And I suddenly feel quite desperate to make this happen. Because if I can convince her to do a mother/daughter blog maybe it will make us close again. The way it used to be before things changed. And I don't know why, but typing that last sentence made my eyes fill up. And I probably shouldn't post this, but I'm going to.

Not only that, but I'm in New York for a week and I'm going to continue to work on her, hoping, praying that I can convince her to change her mind and say, yes.

 
 
 
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07:41 PM on 05/29/2011
I think your daughter will come around eventually once she establishes her independance. I remember desperately trying to make my own way - away from my mom in my early twenties. I moved 3,000 miles away to start a new life, even though there really wasn't anything wrong with the one I had, I just wanted every part of it to be of my choosing. Gradually, I realized what I was missing by enforcing my fierce independance, I missed my mom and the closeness we shared before I moved away. I started writing her long letters and sending her little presents. Sadly, she got cancer and died when I was 25. I came back to be with her until she died, giving up my independance by moving back home. But, I didn't truly appreciate her until I had children of my own several years after she died. Then I could really understand how she felt about me and how much it must have hurt her when I "changed" everything between us. I remember my mom wistfully looking at me and my sister as teenagers and saying " I wish you girls were little again. " At the time I just thought she missed dressing us up and fixing our hair, but now I know she wanted that unconditional love back. I hope you get it back, Meg, sooner rather than later. You'll just have to be patient and don't reach for it too much.
06:32 PM on 06/01/2011
Your comment moved me deeply.
06:43 PM on 05/29/2011
I loved this post - while my daughter is only four, I've been envisioning our future when it's harder to be as close to her when she becomes an adult, and your honest feelings about how desperately you want to love her openly like you did when she was little really resonated with me... probably because I still can love my daughter that openly, and fear the time when I can't.

I own a cafe in Portland, Oregon, and recently wrote a blog post on our website about my own mother and how much I can now appreciate her protectiveness of me over the years with a daughter of my own. (http://posiescafe.com/wp/?p=620) So I really appreciated what you said about your response to a negative comment on your daughter's blog keeping you up at night...

And I just want to say how happy I am that your daughter accepted your offer. :) I read her blog post right after yours... Here's to blogs where mothers openly share their feelings for thousands to read so that our children can forever know just how much we've always loved them.

Jessie
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castlerider
"A man's home is his castle"
06:39 PM on 05/29/2011
Great post Meg, Thanks so much. I'm sure your daughter is as adorable as you. Kudos to your valiant heart. A very good example.
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whirlybird
Time's a-wastin'!
12:11 PM on 05/29/2011
OOHhh....I just read your daughter's blog in response to yours. She writes so well! You two are priceless together, and an inspiration for me (my daughter leaving for an out-of-state college in June). Mind your boundaries and celebrate the beautiful relationship you've built together. Keep me posted on your new upcoming blog!
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castlerider
"A man's home is his castle"
06:39 PM on 05/29/2011
FANNED for your very cool avatar
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whirlybird
Time's a-wastin'!
10:52 PM on 05/29/2011
TY, fanned in return for appreciating it. And though the Pegasus has personal meaning to me, I didn't know it had a place in Chinese lore. I also like your micro-bio, as I feel the same way about my space in the universe.
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castlerider
"A man's home is his castle"
06:41 PM on 05/29/2011
Did you know the ancient Chinesse stated the Winged Horse represents man's thoughts that transcend all Space and Time? Cool, huh?
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
emlr
"a man of knowledge is free"
11:07 AM on 05/29/2011
Meg, I can't believe you have a grown daughter !!!
01:12 PM on 06/02/2011
Oh yeah. Two grown sons too!
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Jen Roberts
10:48 AM on 05/29/2011
I understood the emotional impetus of this blog, but I also found it to be selfish. Way to put public pressure on your daughter! Ooh, isn't that supportive! What if she's got twelve other projects going on right now, and she doesn't want to take this on -- not because of a lack of love, but a lack of time? Now you've put her possible refusal in the public eye, and how cool is that!

I've a an 11 year old and a 13 year old, and I'm definitely feeling painful emotions as I realize they need me less and less, but c'mon, that's life. I need to grow up with them and remember to see them as they are, and not just as I remember them. To listen to them now, and not just hear how they used to lisp. To force them into being who they used to be, or to keep them in a type of relationship we used to have, just because I miss it, isn't love -- it's selfishness on my part. I need to be open to the changing relationship, and so do you, without putting your daughter on the spot in a public blog.
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castlerider
"A man's home is his castle"
06:37 PM on 05/29/2011
Selfish... HA! You have no idea. You just wait. Meg was perfectly balanced and honest, I have two girls I raised as a single dad. To describe the heartbreak when they told me "No dad, we're not going to a movie with you," at 13 and 10 anymore. could fill a whole essay. But right, like you hint at, that's just me. But they grow way too fast, and life is just too short. Maybe it is selfish, but so waht.. You have the right, you've EARNED the right to be selfish, especially when it's in as loving a capacity, valiant to the heart like Meg is doing. More power to her.
And more power to you, and whatever you may scheme to place for yourselves as you and your little girl against the world, against stupidity, against selfishness, against aging, all of it.
Peace.
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whirlybird
Time's a-wastin'!
11:11 PM on 05/29/2011
Much agree. Our tendency towards individualism in our culture really undermines family relationships once kids get beyond their years of dependency. IMHO, it's quite possible --- and desirable for all concerned -- to stick together in a healthy way after they're grown.

I raised mine alone, too, and my daughter and 3 boys are pretty good friends of mine. I think that's more likely in a long-term single parent family, don't you? When they have their peeps over, which is often, their friends are really appreciative of what we've built over time. It is my belief that family groups are intrinsically inclined to stay bonded throughout the years. Heck, we've lived that way for tens of thousands of years. It's only recently that families have scattered to the ends of the earth in pursuit of their individual destinies. I'm torn about this, but do put a lot of stock in how the species has evolved. And I'm pretty sure there's a way to hit a healthy balance between ongoing healthy attachment (both ways) and healthy independence. Kudos to you...
01:15 PM on 06/02/2011
Oh god, I know. They grown so fast.
10:01 PM on 05/29/2011
I didn't find it selfish. Wistful? Maybe. Nostalgic? Definitely. Meg was being honest about how a lot of people feel and she seems to have a good relationship with her daughter. I'm sure it will be fine.
10:47 AM on 05/29/2011
Helicopter moms. The most interesting part is that the author published it. The daughter will not be amused. But it was still true, and also interesting.
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Mother77
09:54 AM on 05/29/2011
Don't fret it, Meg. You are part of the legions of us who have to let them go. But I have good news for you! They do come back as long as you did not do anything heinous while you waited through the tunnel of maturation. I, too, longed to inhale my daughter when I would visit in NY, find myself welling up in tears and apologizing for my actions and attitudes. They reduce us to that. Then, one day, the phone rings and they have something to share that only we understand and the lifeline again begins to be built.
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Rhubarbarian
Some of my best friends are corporations.
01:39 AM on 05/29/2011
I don't have a daughter but my son graduates from high school tomorrow. I never anticipated that this transition could be so painful, that I could feel so unnecessary and in the way. This essay really got the tears a flowing.
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whirlybird
Time's a-wastin'!
11:13 PM on 05/29/2011
Been there. But if you are the type of parent who experiences such emotions, it's very probable that your son will always retain his love and attachment, don't you think?
03:47 PM on 05/28/2011
My daughter's only 11 - your post reminds me that (if I do my job right!) she won't be little and "mine" for much longer! (C'mere, honey, I want to hug on you. No, I'm not crying. I've got cat fur in my eye.)

And if the mixed-blog thing doesn't work out, we can always read about the differences between sheepskin and terrycloth bunny slippers.
02:03 AM on 05/28/2011
I think that blog is a really good idea, and I meant to say that when you and Emily came to the Walter Reade Theater again for your film earlier tonight.

Wanted to watch the whole Q
01:16 PM on 06/02/2011
I thought you were going to dinner with us! Didn't get a chance to say bye and thanks.
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Opinionated Lady
One for all
09:19 AM on 05/27/2011
Rejoice! You have done your job. Your daughter is a person in her own right and struggling to establish herself as an adult, with her own opinions and a right to exist separately from you . If you accept your new role as the parent of an adult with grace and acknowledgement of her right to independence as a person, you will find that she seeks you out, rather than the other way around. You can't return to the past, move on. Your new relationship with her will be as rewarding as the old one, just different.
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abbienormal
What hump?
09:51 AM on 05/29/2011
Exactly. We are successful when our kids can strike out on their own and make new relationships. Our final test is managing to accept that and to be there on the rare occasion that they still need a chat or place to rest.

Someone told me once that sleepless nights and changing diapers was the easy part. She was right.

F/F.
01:16 PM on 06/02/2011
So true!
04:14 PM on 05/29/2011
Great advice. A little separation and space is good for both of you and you'll always have the connection because of your investment of yourself before she left.
07:22 AM on 05/27/2011
oprah said on her last show -----we are all in search of validation -----want to be close to your daughter? ---validate her ----make her feel worthy --
05:54 AM on 05/27/2011
Having a child has to be one of the most selfless acts one will ever commit....
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Thisbeautifulplanet
omnia vincit amor
08:49 AM on 05/29/2011
It is one of the most pertinent and honest comment about parenthood that I ever read.
04:15 PM on 05/29/2011
I would say raising a child, not having one. I know lots of biological parents who leave much to be desired.
02:10 AM on 05/27/2011
Thanks for the reminder how extremely lucky I am to have my daughter living right around the corner from me with both of my grandsons. I shudder to think of her so far from me. Good luck!