"Mama, how long have we been away from home?" Younger asked me. We were out west visiting family. "About ten days," I calculated. "Why? What's up?" I wondered. We had nearly a full week left of our current stop, and another ten days after that before we returned home. "Ugh," she sighed. "I don't stand… Continue reading Off to Camp
Category: Family and Parenting
Project Wellspring: Questions for Reflection
What is the shape of this story in your mind? Is it a longer arc, one that unfolds over many years or decades? Is it more of a self-contained episode? Something in between? How would you describe your emotions right now as you think about beginning to tell this story? Briefly and without thinking too… Continue reading Project Wellspring: Questions for Reflection
Project Wellspring
After 15 years of thinking about it, I am finally starting work on a project to compile stories of people navigating the challenges of their reproductive lives, with the ultimate goal of publishing such a collection. I am aiming for a range of diverse perspectives and experiences. They run the gamut from unplanned pregnancy to… Continue reading Project Wellspring
My Family, Part II: Deconstructed Birthday Cake
I still don't really go in for astrology, but if there was ever an embodiment of a Gemini, my sweet almost-9-year-old is it. As a baby, changing Priya's onesie could take her from a placid snuggle bunny to screaming as if she'd been stung by a trio of bees in under 30 seconds. Nowadays, it's… Continue reading My Family, Part II: Deconstructed Birthday Cake
My Family, Part I: Food Coloring Lipstick
Saturdays generally unfold like this: In the late spring moving toward summer, I might wake up at 7:00, my 9-year-old around 7:30, and our younger, another half-hour to an hour later. (For Christmas I bought her a pajama shirt that says, "If you love me, let me sleep.") We are happy and relaxed to have… Continue reading My Family, Part I: Food Coloring Lipstick