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Laura McCollough Moss

Location Celoron, NY
Occupation RN
Website http://pretzelwisdom-lucylar.blogspot.com

About Me

I turned fifty years old last year. Approaching this milestone catapulted me into a period of life review and evaluation. I am completing my bachelor’s degree on-line; a pursuit I had wrestled with for a long time. Isn’t it a little late? Following a full-time class schedule while maintaining a marriage, pet ownership, empty-nest motherhood and a fitness regimen (a paralyzing concept), I’ll finish at the age of fifty-two. Then what? I’ve managed a fairly successful career with an associate’s degree. At this point, the bachelor’s would be a stepping stone to a master’s or beyond- still more work. Regret taps me on the shoulder. If I was going to choose this path, I should have done so years ago.
The trouble with mature womanhood is that we become so darned rational. Life experience bites us in the backside one too many times, resulting in our greatest disadvantage; wisdom. That’s a good thing, or so I thought. I got into the habit of bestowing my wisdom on anyone who would listen. I’ve become so wise that I can chart my own life and that of any unwitting subject seeking my advice. Not wise enough to understand that the poor soul may need only a listening ear and validation, I launch into an analysis of their drives, weaknesses, and self-concept. The guy’s no good, your kids are over-indulged, and you clearly haven’t resolved your issues with your father. If you don’t feel inadequate when you come to me, you certainly will by the time we’ve finished talking. No need to thank me, I have all the answers. Lately, however, I’ve begun to wonder if the greatest wisdom works in reverse. Consider this phrase: I know better. Do I? How have I come to think so?
The facebook ® status of a young friend reads “I want the fairy-tale ending”. Immediately I’m conjuring up a profound comment that will bring her to her senses. These young women, will they ever learn? I’ve got to help her abandon that starry-eyed naiveté. She needs to know that blind faith and hopefulness will break her heart. That’s when I stop and realize that I am waxing philosophical on a social network! The kid fires off a wistful thought as she leaves a movie theatre, and I’m channeling Dr. Phil. It’s clearly time to get over myself. Anyway, what if she’s got the right idea?
There are a generous handful of reasons why looking into a mirror these days is more painful than it used to be. I see the effects of gravity and, reflected with them, a distasteful, middle-aged sensibility. My ‘big-girl panties’ were hard won, but it is time to shed them in favor of a new style. As I step back from the delusion of omniscience, I feel the dawn of realization. I cannot hope to grow if I allow jaded assumptions and presumed disappointment to get in front of me. This serendipitous gift of youth is just one benefit of a youthful outlook. When we don’t know better, nothing can stop us.
Of course, some of my apprehension is well considered. As I advance my academic education, there will be drama. I’ll surely struggle with assignments and time management. Maybe I’ll cry over deadlines, or pull some all-nighters to get papers done. Maybe broadening my mind will make me restless and dissatisfied with the life I’ve settled into. Maybe everything will get stirred up and messy. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll resurrect my dreams; whatever they are. The idea is frightening to tell the truth. It is also
very exciting, as though I can go back in time with all of the enthusiasm and anticipation I once possessed and, thanks to Mother Time, the capacity to fully appreciate them.
Much is made of what we know for sure. We take comfort in our accumulated knowledge and expertise at life. We mistake complacency for self-assurance, when in fact it is a safety net. Letting go of it may mean the difference between contentment and true happiness. I certainly do not know this for sure, but I have nothing to lose by trying. Someone once told me that we are born with our eyes tightly closed, crying, with clenched fists, and that we die with our eyes open, relaxed, and with our palms open. It figures, doesn’t it, that acceptance is our final act.
And so it is settled. I will dust out my cluttered mind and change it. I will uncase my fearful heart and open it. I will face this challenge and any others that come, doing my best to ignore all preconceptions. I will make my children as proud as they have made me. When I falter I’ll turn to them, and they will offer unbiased support and encouragement as only they can. Thankfully, they don’t know any better.

Why do you write?

My creativity is fueled by situations that enlighten, inspire, frustrate, and anger me. Unless I feel passionately about the subject matter, anything I write is forced and flat. I endeavor to examine and express the dynamics, rhythm and beauty of relationships.

Any favorite authors? Books?

Favorite authors:
Hemingway
Steinbeck
Dickens
Plath
Capote
Ernest J. Gaines
Khaled Hosseini
Stephen King

Laura McCollough Moss's Wall

Mathew Paust – Jan 07, 2013

Laura, thanks (belatedly) for your kind remarks on The Crack. I'm finding one of the exciting aspects of Fictionaut is the inspiration I get from reading others. This memory popped into the forefront after probably decades in my mind's archives while I was reading Barry Basden's wonderful piece "White Cliffs", about when he recognized WWII had swallowed his father.

Gloria Garfunkel – Jan 06, 2013

Enjoyed your comment on Conversation. I don't get it is a killer.

Gloria Garfunkel – Jan 06, 2013

And I love your personal essay.

Gloria Garfunkel – Jan 06, 2013

Thanks for your wonderful note on lithium. It's true about nurses. They really run the place.

Gessy Alvarez – Jul 09, 2012

Thanks, Laura for reading "“A good man deserves a good woman"...Luckily, the story is not about me but I did hear this sentiment as a child.

Barry Basden – Jul 02, 2012

Thanks again, Laura, for reading my work. And I'm glad Aunt Madge touched you, too. She did live her life her way.

Barry Basden – Jul 02, 2012

Thanks, Laura, for your kind and insightful comments about 'Benny Goodman...' I have the utmost respect for those who care for our loved ones.

Laura McCollough Moss – Jun 25, 2012

Lucinda, thanks for the kind words. I just found this comment tonight! Your encouragement of He Loved Her, and recommendation that I stick to memoir, was helpful. I hadn't thought about my writing that way. Memoirs are for women like Coco Chanel... not me! Following your compliments on my "voice", I spent some time researching exactly what voice is; I am flattered that I have it in your opinion. You inspire me to keep trying.

lucinda kempe – Jun 16, 2012

Laura,

I love your bio here! Thinking of using this as a non-fiction piece. Plenty of places like creative non-fiction. The voice here is great!

"Someone once told me that we are born with our eyes tightly closed, crying, with clenched fists, and that we die with our eyes open, relaxed, and with our palms open. It figures, doesn’t it, that acceptance is our final act. " GREAT!

Lucinda

Jen Knox – Jun 11, 2012

Thank you so much for reading and commenting on Always a Story, Laura. :)

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