Sep 8Member-onlyIt GoesThe College Drop-off Drop We just dropped our son off for his freshman year at college. Nights before flying back east to plant him in a new state, we went to dinner as a family in the city. We got all dressed up because we were celebrating. Here he was…Motherhood14 min readMotherhood14 min read
Aug 14Member-onlyJust FineI watched 100% of the College World Series while I recovered from my quick lumpectomy, reduction and lift. If ESPN had been in the market for a different perspective on the proceedings, maybe a dreary, black-mooded color commentator who talked less about thrilling draft prospects and more about phantom lymph…Cancer14 min readCancer14 min read
Jul 7Member-onlyTits UpI found out I had breast cancer in early May. I’ve been told for many years that I have tricky breast tissue; dense, hard to read, littered with spotty spots. …Cancer15 min readCancer15 min read
Jun 5Member-onlyThe Peaks, the Pomp and the CircumstancesMy son graduated from high school last Saturday. I have an older daughter, so in the weeks leading up to graduation, many parents considered me experienced. They asked me — how many guests do we get at the Baccalaureate? Do parents go to the awards ceremony? …Graduation9 min readGraduation9 min read
May 24Member-onlyOlder, WiserA Different Kind of Coming of Age Tale I got my feelings hurt by a six-year-old the other day. It happened at the park. I was there with my youngest, watching him contort his gangly limbs through a too-small tunnel. This place was made for smaller children, but that is…8 min read8 min read
May 12Member-onlyMother on the MenuIt’s Time to Recognize the Profession — My high school senior recently applied to college. When I told him I’d proof his application, he considered this a kind, but unnecessary offer. He’d written the thing, pored over it, read and re-read, wrote and re-wrote. It was done, all locked in, nothing to change, tweak or add. I…Motherhood11 min readMotherhood11 min read
May 3Member-onlyBoth Sides NowWhen Clouds Get in Your Way — For months, my youngest stared at the map of Sesame Place on his ipad, manifesting a trip to this muppet mecca. The map was a complete and ready made vision board. Full vision, no notes. I couldn’t blame my son — the place looked bright, cheerful and inviting. Who wouldn’t…Parenthood9 min readParenthood9 min read
Aug 25, 2021Member-onlyCounting“The number will not be high. It is going to be pretty low.” I find it funny this has to be stated both ways, as if my own personal IQ is not high, and pretty low, and I wouldn’t understand this news said only once; or, as if this news…MWC7 min readMWC7 min read
Jun 22, 2021Member-onlyBack On The GridI keep a paper calendar. I like the layout where you can see the whole month at one time, the kind that gives you two square inches dedicated to any one day. Every November, I’d buy my refill in person at Staples. Cashiers often assumed I was a teacher, asking…Writer7 min readWriter7 min read
Published inBe Open·May 9, 2021Member-onlyA Returning StudentI enrolled in an online writing class recently. I’d signed up for a real world one last winter and considered its cancelation a gift of the pandemic. I’d been brave enough to sign up but never had to be brave enough to go. But as the months of homeschooling ticked…Writing Life9 min readWriting Life9 min read
