Suff'rance

The title was taken from Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, with the words spoken by Shylock, the moneylender.

The quote I was interested in reads:

"Still have I borne it with a patient shrug,
For suff’rance is the badge of all our tribe."
(1.3.105–106)


For some reason, the quote brought to mind the burden (or badge) of mothers, especially single mothers. I've met quite a few who struggled to bring up their boys. Before they realized it, those adorable bundles of joy turned into troublesome toddlers and rapidly morphed into sullen, sulky and sometimes smelly teenagers who towered over them and challenged their authority at every turn.

In spite of this, they worry. They just can't help themselves. Many of their waking moments are spent worrying. Worrying about the safety of their precious. Worrying about whether they've eaten. Are they sleeping well? Are they stressed about things? Are they telling lies? Are they involved in a gang? Are they doing something that will embarrass their mother? Do they have a future? But most of all, are they safe?

For the most part, these young men are unaware of it all. Or if they are aware, they are resentful and mother is a baddie.

For the mother, they'll just keep on worrying.

That is the badge of all their tribe.

You can read an excerpt here.