How many generations does it take to catch on?

My mother and I were sitting in the car, driving home.

"My father used to write," she said. "I didn't know it for a long time, but he used to be good at it. I'm going to tell you what he told me once when I was around your age. He said, 'You know, I was good at writing once, but I stopped...started working...and I want to tell you not to make the same mistake. You have a real talent: don't stop using it.' "

She eased the car onto our street, staring ahead into the rain.

"But you did make the same mistake," I said.

"Well, I'm telling you, aren't I?"

There is an art to giving in.