Category Archives: Uncategorized

August 5 is special. It’s not a birthday or my wedding date. It’s not a religious or secular holiday for me. The weather is often brutally hot, and it’s always during the rush to get the kids ready for the beginning of the school year. Yet, no matter what else is going on, it’s aContinue reading “A special anniversary”

Pitter-patter shifting to a steady thrum then downgrading to distinguishable plinks. While a kettle gently rocks its way to a whistle. And the air conditioner purrs in the background. Dry calm in the middle of a most welcome storm.

For many years, as long as my husband has known me at the very least, I have wanted to write a book. I haven’t had a plot or a research question or a compelling personal exploration in mind, but I have had an unrelenting whisper in the back of my mind that I want toContinue reading “New and scary and wonderful”

I have started so many writing projects without ever writing the elusive words “The End.” The evidence hit me in the face yesterday. I spent the afternoon cleaning up my digital spaces – reclaiming 1 gigabyte of storage by deleting emails and sorting my Google Drive into submission. As I compiled bits and pieces ofContinue reading “Starts”

My youngest not-so-little brother is getting married in a few short hours. To a remarkable, kind, funny, smart, talented woman who I am thrilled is becoming my sister. It’s an amazing thing when your family grows. I was reminded at last night’s rehearsal dinner as I overheard members of discrete groups – some of whichContinue reading “Garrett + Sofia”

It’s not a secret that I have generalized anxiety disorder. Actually, it’s the opposite of secret. I disclose my diagnosis all the time. New doctors, new friends, new coworkers, anyone with an internet connection. Anybody who is going to be around me for longer than one meeting. It’s because there are certain things I do,Continue reading “Okay”

“I’m proud of you for doing your best,” Noah said as grabbed my hand to hold as we walked past the bocce courts on the way to our car. We had stayed late, waiting until the end of the team bocce tournament before taking our tired children home. After two years without the festival, IContinue reading “Pride”

Four years ago I started a handful of miniscule alpine strawberry seeds under a grow light on a dreary February day. I dreamed of my own strawberry patch with everbearing plants that I could walk out and pick for months of the year. Of course, it didn’t go quite like that. One of the plantingsContinue reading “Strawberries”

Greg wakes up before dawn to get to work by 6AM. I wake up at 6:10 when the speaker robot turns on my bedroom lamp and starts blaring the Mad About You theme song. It’s impossible to go back to sleep. By design. There is no time to linger when school and work start inContinue reading “Routine”

I have always hoped that, given the opportunity, I would be a brave person. Greg and I tell our kids that being brave doesn’t mean not being afraid. It means being afraid and doing it anyway. I’ve done plenty of things that required personal fortitude, but nothing that I would consider essentially brave. No actionsContinue reading “Transplant”