It's a birthday tradition, jumping on top of Mom in bed at an ungodly hour, and Elias did not disappoint. This is eight. The boundless energy that shows up as blurry limbs in photos. "Mom," he said this morning, quiet because it was early and he's learned some things about his mother, "there are presents."… Continue reading This Is Eight
Category: Family
A Perfect Gift for Mom
I ran into my friend Beth at the grocery store last May. This was not all that surprising, since we'd both just been at the same rehearsal. We got to stand and talk, which was a treat. Mostly we're like ships passing in the night. Friendly ships, but not ships with a lot of time… Continue reading A Perfect Gift for Mom
Lie Up, and Survive
This is a text exchange I had with a friend last week. Here is what I have learned from this conversation and the bajillion like it I've had in the past: It's not just you. It's never just you. I know Pinterest and Instagram and Sunday mornings at church make it easy to believe… Continue reading Lie Up, and Survive
Backward and Forward
Four years ago today, my mother died. Today is pretty good. Yesterday was pretty bad. Yesterday, I wanted to crawl under my desk, turn off the lights, and shut the door to my office. I didn't. I had a Dairy Queen Blizzard for lunch instead. I got home and waved the babysitter away, and stretched… Continue reading Backward and Forward
Watching Headlines
I ran by the grocery store yesterday to get a few things for Memorial Day. We're having a pretty quiet day, but my sister takes our boys to the cemetery for the 21-gun salute every year, and we have breakfast when they come back. I hadn't planned a thing, so I was picking up last-minute… Continue reading Watching Headlines