Took on a challenge to write weekly, and here it is January 12, and I've not written a thing. Today, I finally took a moment in the chaos of motherhood to, at least, begin:
Here's my inspiration:
from “In the Subjunctive Mood” by Michelle Morano:
IN language, as in life, moods are complicated, but at least in language there are only two. The indicative mood is for knowledge, facts, absolutes, for describing what’s real or definite. You’d use the indicative to say, for example:
I was in love.
Or, The man I loved tried to kill himself.
Or, I moved to Spain because the man I loved, the man who tried to kill himself, was driving me insane.
The indicative helps you tell what happened or is happening or will happen in the future (when you believe you know for sure what the future will bring).
The subjunctive mood, on the other hand, is uncertain. It helps you tell what could have been or might be or what you want but may not get. You’d use the subjunctive to say:
I thought he’d improve without me.
Or, I left so that he’d begin to take care of himself.
Or later, after your perspective has been altered, by time and distance and a couple of cervezas in a brightly lit bar, you might say:
I deserted him (indicative).
I left him alone with his crazy self for a year (indicative).
Because I hoped (after which begins the subjunctive) that being apart might allow us to come together again.
Indicative mood and facts -- for example:
I am a mother.
Or, my child is giving the dog his pacifier.
Or, the light is coming through the window on the couch so perfectly just now; I can see the waves glisten too.
Or, I need a nap because I am a mother and my child is sharing his pacifier with the dog and the couch is so perfect for a nap just now.
Subjunctive mood and uncertainty -- for example:
I thought we could lay down together and take a nap.
Or, I am waiting for my partner to get home so I might nap.
Later, after my perspective is altered -- if I ever get a drink -- I could say:
I’ve been up all night nursing a sick and teething baby.
I will be starting the semester teaching in a couple weeks.
Because I am swamped with sleeplessness and teaching prep I hoped that my child would nap with me in the sun.
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