TIME IS ON MY SIDE...by b. Malin
Yes, it Is!
I find the older I get "Time" has taken on a different meaning, even though there never seems to be enough of it. I find my "Thoughts" on Life have changed...I've learned to Laugh at myself. For example, let me tell you a few things that have happened to me along the way...
I remember wen I was Nineteen, and Pregnant with my first Child, and living in the "Bronx, N.Y." My Westchester girlfriends were Horrified..."The BRONX, ugh, where is that? Do they speak English there? Are there any good Places to Eat...and where do you shop"? They would ask, when I spoke to them on the phone. Yes, I guess you could say they were SNOBS. But having married a guy from The Bronx, that's where I was temporarily living. But that's not what this story is really all about. It's about me and growing through the years. Ok, so on with the story.
My Mother-in-law, who happened to live in the same Neighborhood, yes, yes, I know what you're thinking, too close for comfort...and yes, it was... and eventually we moved. Anyway, she advised me to buy all my meats at the "Butcher Store", where Poultry was Pure...As a young bride, I was into listening to her, and so I faithfully went to her Butcher. Well EVERY TIME that he would wait on me, in fact, he seemed to always be the one to wait on me, he'd say, smiling down at me from the counter top, "What can I get for you today MISS"? "MISS! MISS"? I was EIGHT MONTHS PREGNANT...It was June, I wasn't wearing a Coat that could HIDE ME. I was BIG, and PREGNANT- LOOKING, and Embarrassed! Did he think that I was an UNWED Mother? Now as a Middle aged woman, when someone says, "Miss, may I help you"? I smile. But back then, I was going to be a Mother, and I wanted to look the part...and it wasn't Funny to me.
While I'm on the subject of the Butcher encounter...What do you think this Butcher's name was? Are you ready for this...and NO, I'm NOT making it up...His name was "Herbie Hen"! That's right, his name was printed on the sign above his shop, with a Picture of a Hen named Herbie. "Herbie Hen's Butcher Shop" and below the sign it read, "When you're thinking Meats & Chickens, Herbie Hen is your Man". Today, I am able to look back at Laugh. And Yes, he did kind of remind me of a Chicken...he'd make that "Clucking" sound when he was cutting the meat, and especially the poultry...I always wondered what "Mrs. Hen" looked like, and did they have any "Chicks" I mean Children.
Here's another Ditty...I remember when I became President of My "Sisterhood" and had to give my first speech before the Congregation. I was a nervous wreck. So I went to the Rabbi and told him. He smiled gently and said, here's what he had been told. I waited breathlessly for his words of Wisdom. He cleared his throat and said, with a twinkle in his young eyes, for we were his First Congregation, "Picture them Naked", and then he walked away. By this time I was old enough to appreciate the Humor, and Yes, I took his advice, and gave a very Successful speech. Age has a way of giving us knowledge, what we do with it, is another story.
Progress and Me? I've still got a long way to go, before I completely stop sweating the small stuff. But I'm thinking I'm on the right track. After all, "Time, is on my side, oh yes it is"...Sing it EVERYONE...Now if I could just remember who sang that song...Anyone out there remember?
