Rosemarie Redux

 In this post from 2016, Marita's mother, Rosemarie Mercer, joined me on the porch swing. Things were a bit rocky to start as she was annoyed that a series of maternal responsibilities of my own delayed the writing of this post, and I had to reschedule her from morning to afternoon. Still, she was gracious enough to respond to a few additional questions for today's version of this post.

Where will we find you when you’re not on the page of the book we’re reading?

Rosemarie: Well, today you will find me re-arranging my schedule in an effort to accommodate this blog post. Usually, I'll be busy with my volunteer work, at church, or perhaps even at home with my husband, Judge William Mercer, who is retired, but still plays a vital role in the community. 

What’s something we’d be surprised to know about you?

Rosemarie: I suspect there is quite a bit you'd be surprised to know about me. Unlike my daughter, I believe in discretion and prefer that my private life remain private.

What are your thoughts on children?

Rosemarie: Today's children are spoiled. Parents simply do not discipline them. When I was raising my granddaughter, she had limits. Charlotte understood, even from a young age, that there are consequences that accompany bad behavior.

What regrets do you have?

Rosemarie: I regret that my daughter chose to rebel and reject everything her father and I stand for. 

Whom do you admire? 

Rosemarie: My husband, of course, and the ministers at our church. They do God's work.

It seems that Jim's outlook on life is more similar to yours than Marita's is. Did you ever wonder if perhaps he should have gotten full custody of Charli? 
Rosemarie: Of course not! A child belongs with her mother. If Jim had wanted to be a parent, he should have accepted his paternal responsibilities from the very beginning. His late arrival has less to do with what's best for Charli and more to do with what's best for Jim.

What are your hopes for Charli?

Rosemarie: Charlotte is a bright girl with abundant potential. I can only hope she will put those things to good use, following the path her grandfather paved rather than pursuing the back alleys her mother chose to explore during her own teen years. Getting her to church is an important step in helping her to realize her potential.

It must be gratifying to know that your daughter has such a loyal friend in Bets.

Rosemarie: Gratifying is not exactly the word I would choose. That girl has been trouble from the word go. My daughter needs to make some friends that are a better influence on her and Charli -- someone like the new youth pastor at our church, for example. 

Are you proud of your daughter?

Rosemarie: (Pauses) Of course I am. She, too, is bright with abundant potential, and she is a good mother, if a bit lax. I only wish she'd made better choices growing up.