Mom wanted a rosebud : a collection

Abstract

Just after I was born, my mom bought several yards of a rosebud-print fabric, which she chose as my signature fabric. She prepared pajama, dress, and blanket patterns so I would always own something with that print. Our neighbors presented me with a little blonde rag doll and my mom made her a rosebud-print dress. That doll dress is the only rosebud project she finished. By the time she was ready to make an outfit for me it was obvious I was not a rosebud. My favorite outfit was a camouflage shirt handed down from my cousin Matt and a pair of khaki shorts that had belonged to my brother. I played with my brother and his friends, learned about Transformers, and let my hair stay in messy pigtails. Mom tried to explain my appearance to her brother once. "'Alli likes to look like-“ Mom searched for her words and my uncle helpfully supplied: Like she was raised by wolves." Even though Mom wanted a rosebud, she put the rosebud fabric away and spent her days keeping my camouflage shirt wearable. As an adult, I understand the temptation of expectance. It is easy to expect people to act in certain ways or perform certain responsibilities. I value the freedom and choices my mom gave me early on. With each story I write I discover characters who are only trying to be individuals. I’ve learned to celebrate their uniqueness-to let people and characters be wolves, and not expect rosebuds.

Notes

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Thesis Completion

2003

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Bartkevicius, Jocelyn

Degree

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

English

Degree Program

English

Subjects

Arts and Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic;Dissertations, Academic -- Arts and Sciences; Coming of age; Personal essay; Short story; Writing life

Format

Print

Identifier

DP0021789

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Document Type

Honors in the Major Thesis

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