Norman

Norman

When I was in high school, my mom went back to get her RN credentials. It was cool to see your mom in school - learning, growing . . . getting a little swagger back. It seemed a popular thing for moms to do in the 80's.

As part of school, she had labs. One lab included an experiment on a rat to show how certain drug mixtures delay growth.  At dinner one night, she talked about it in an animated way. It wasn't exactly obvious, but it felt like something was about to happen.

A few days later, I saw a wire cage in my room.  Bare metal between tufts of white fur.  There was something most definitely rat-like inside.  It became clear that school property had somehow become my property.

I was ambivalent upon first meeting. But, it became clear that Norman (a great rat name) had become expendable - part of the lab fee.  My mom didn't have the heart. And seeing her, I didn't either.

In the ensuing days and without the special ‘shrinking’ potion, Norman got big!  Some parts grotesquely so.  "Presents" were left everywhere -- ewww. But, that rat solidified an unbreakable bond: mom, son, rat. 

Fifteen years later, I got a package from my mom. In it, I found a plushy of a white rat.  It was Norman.  The note said, "I was thinking of you. I just had to send you your little friend." 

That's my mom. Full of the kind of love and support we all need - armor for venturing into the great unknown.  Alternatively, a platform upon which to build your stage for you to perform. Your first act. Your second act. All of it.      

As for Norman, he's back.  He's the star of the music video for "What's Next?"  With my niece, we have crafted something full of love and heart.  The same heart that serves as the foundation for my stage.

Second Acts are fun, especially when you have the right stage to perform them on.