Depthless Heart
My mom was proud to live in Rumson. As the daughter of a plumber and a maid who immigrated from Germany, she grew up in Long Branch, uptown on Broadway. She married a guy from Sea Bright with a chip on his shoulder who wanted to show her more. That meant Rumson. They crossed the bridge into town in the late 50s and started a family, my sister, and me.
Annabelle was an upbeat person who always saw the good in any situation, rarely complained, and had an enormous ability to put up with crap from my father. Throughout my life whenever my sister and I got down for some reason the first thing she would say was “Sweetheart.” From there would flow the sage advice or opinion.
I was down more than my sister, in fact, I was always down. (Karen didn’t have time for it, too much to do.) So I received more “Sweethearts” than my sister. Mom also referred to people she liked as Sweetheart.
I occasionally call women in my life Sweetheart, I often get a strange look when I do. Frequently, I get a comment telling about the proper way to address a woman. I have heard Sweetheart “is offensive”, or “condescending” to which I reply “bullshit.” If you’re that sensitive I have a few more things I can refer to you as if you like.
For me, Sweetheatheart is a legacy endearing word that comes from the only person I know who had a heart that had no depth too great, or end. I got it from her so be assured you’re in good company.
Peace, chris
In 1979 I went to school in France for the summer. There was a 2 week bus tour of several countries before school started. My bus was 38 girls, me and Keith. Keith was obviously my roommate throughout. Halfway through the summer, Keith came back to the room one day. I said to him cheerfully “How’s it going boy?” Keith did not appreciate it. We had a great relationship up to that point. I was mortified that I had offended my friend. I think I had said it a few times before that and his patience with me had worn thin. I apologized profusely. The phrase I used was one of affection that my Dad had been saying to me for years. I just said it without thinking. I liked and respected Keith. I let Keith determine our relationship after that. It was a little cooler but amicable. Twenty years later Keith called me out of the blue. Keith was a custodian at a school in NJ and I think single. He told me that he had been traveling the world every year since I saw him last. He had been to over a hundred countries. I still feel bad to this day.
Aw, another post I truly dig!
Thank you, sweetheart.