Working Mom

Good morning, Mame. Good morning, Little Clam. It's Nonna. These pictures were taken last Fall 2009 when I was visiting your new apartment in the DC area. Mame was beginning to work from home and you children were adjusting to her being in the apartment but not really available to you during work hours.

As your guest, I was adjusting a little bit too. I snapped these pictures as a way of documenting something I could feel but not really see. This is similar to ghost hunters who attempt to take pictures of spirits and poltergeists. In the end, I guess we see what we want to see in photographs. Watch with me.



Mame is patient with you, ninos, when you interrupt her. Even when her mind is off in space (little play on a word there, heh heh) she is glad to see you. See here how the whole room lights up when she looks at you, LC (Weezie is at pre-school just now). And she is letting you play with her phone, grandson, that's a positive sign of her affectionate tolerance for your presence.


Ah, she has noticed the photographer. Too bad, as it is more difficult to document these feelings when one is observed by the "subject." I will hold very still and wait for her to return to her work.


Hmm, that expression does not exactly qualify as a smile, does it? Would it be fair to describe the look in Mame's eye as "affectionate?" It seems more like what I refer to as her "peeled onion eyeball stare" which is usually not a good sign. I am continuing to hold very still, avoiding eye contact.


Mame has now transitioned into what I think of as her "I can't believe you are trying to annoy me in this manner" look. "While I am working, no less" goes without saying. Seems like my photo shoot is coming to an end.


This is definitely the moment when she shuts me out. It is as if an invisible wall has been lowered and I am on the other side of it, watching her work. I'm surprised the flash didn't reflect off the surface of invisible Plexiglas when I snapped this picture. Time for a strategic withdrawal (pretending to make tea in the kitchen, withdrawing to my futon, taking LC with me. Bring Mom's phone, we can call each other and chat). So, ninos, when it feels lonely and you're in the same room with Mom remember, it's not personal. She's a Working Mom right now. And she loves you just the same. In fact, she loves you all the more in the reduced amount of time she has with you. But then you already know that, don't you.