The Mother of a Good Man—Entrepreneuring pg143
Colorful companion to my memoir The Incompetent Psychic
1986
Dammit, the people in my life were supposed to be nicer, and have more honor.
Actually, one did. For three years in here I seriously dated Luke, my one other boyfriend in the same league as Tony. Luke had grown up in a nearby town in a highly functional and respected family who were active in the Democratic party. I fell in love with Luke and his mother.
Julia was a paragon of poise, easy style and kind humor. Women like this are beloved matriarchs, and nurture unruly boys into fine men. I was never so fascinated or intimidated by a woman in my life. Luke aimed to achieve success both in the family real estate business and in politics. To accomplish this he would need a mate as supportive, diplomatic and socially gracious as his mother. I could barely be a better version of myself, much less a version of Julia. — From Chapter 7
The plan for this life was to be an effective, functioning person with manageable emotions. Due to an unfortunate ego burp while finalizing the life plan with my spirit guides on the Other Side, I stupidly, stubbornly discounted their sage advice. I saw myself doing that in a hypnosis session which explained why this life went off the rails.
This memoir full of cautionary tales would not be anywhere near as engaging had things worked out according to plan. As it happens, screwing up a lot and still finding redemption makes for a much better read. How habitually I screwed up was obvious every time I met an exemplary person who behaved honorably in every situation. Julia was one. Sure I regret not being more like Julia.
But Julia couldn’t have written a book about what it means to be graceless, alienating and often drunk… and then find a way to triumph in spite of these shortcomings. Julia’s book could have fit on a fortune cookie as ‘Listen to your wiser Guides’. Mine took over 90,000 words. I left out some (like the time I woke up alone with a really bad hangover and a brand new Marriage Certificate) because I had to get to the part where eventual redemption kicked in. Also, there comes a point at which bad behavior simply stops being funny. (Pretty sure I careened past that point.)
A signed copy of Mernie’s memoir is available at www.etsy.com/listing/839838936
Unsigned copies can be ordered wherever books are sold.
