Yesterday’s story had its desired effect. When Lucia awoke, she opened her texting with the family by saying, I needed that. You think you know someone after eighteen years of being their sister. But if that weren’t affirmation enough, my old work pal from a previous job, Patrick, called, and we were shooting the breezeContinue reading “Brayden Saved a Life”
Tag Archives: Mothers
The Laws Take Some Ls
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. The week started with immense promise, as Lindsay came home for spring break, Lu and Brayden qualified for base housing, and Grant bought his first meat smoker. Then, it all went to hell. First, I came home from a meeting to find LindsayContinue reading “The Laws Take Some Ls”
But That’s Lauren
Last week during the birthday dinner for our brother-in-law, Lauren looked up mid-meal and said, “I can’t believe I just did that.” “What’s that?” I said. “I gave myself twenty units of insulin. I meant to cover twenty grams of carbs. That was really stupid. I’ve never done that before.” “So you have too muchContinue reading “But That’s Lauren”
The Christmas Sword of Vengeance
Years ago, Grant had a buddy over to play. They went down to our basement and began raising royal hell, which was par for the two of them. At some point, the din got so loud that I went downstairs to make sure things were still intact. They weren’t. The boys were jumping off ourContinue reading “The Christmas Sword of Vengeance”
But Was It Funny?
Lindsay returned home Sunday afternoon. Her arrival was full of tension—her plane was early, she was starving, she was full of rage at other passengers (she’s often full of rage), and we were running a bit late. We had no time after Church to eat lunch; we just changed clothes and dashed out the door.Continue reading “But Was It Funny?”
Be Famous on Your Own Merits
We spent Friday night trekking into the Reggie Lewis Center—a ninety-minute ride into Boston during rush hour—to see Graham run for five minutes and two seconds to be precise. He finished second in his mile heat, first among freshmen, and twelfth overall, and he set a new personal record. Once he finished, we hustled downContinue reading “Be Famous on Your Own Merits”
Parting Is Not Sweet Sorrow
One day when I was a freshman in college, I came back to my dorm room in the early afternoon after class. I opened the door to find my roommate sitting in his desk chair turned away from his computer and toward the door, but his head down, his eyes staring at the carpet. HeContinue reading “Parting Is Not Sweet Sorrow”
Mental Puddle
There’s an old Bill Cosby sketch where he talks about raising a son (yes, I know … Bill Cosby; don’t @ me—it’s a good sketch and we’re not debating art from fallen artists here). Not quoting, but he says something like, “Your boy is born. As soon as you can, you put a walnut inContinue reading “Mental Puddle”
Follow the Clues
Look carefully. What do you see? You think that’s a belt on the basement stairs, right? How about this? Just a sock on the stairs to the second floor, right? Right? Try this. Have you put the pieces together yet? No? More clues: Clear now? No? Sigh. It looks like household clutter and stuff inContinue reading “Follow the Clues”
Quotes from the Road
We finished traveling to Grant’s game, watched it, then headed to Princeton for Lindsay’s wrestling tournament. We met Lindsay for dinner. Family friend John Howe traveled with us. Here are various texts, conversations, and one-liners from the day. Grant [text read aloud over Apple CarPlay]: Marvin Harrison Jr is not the best ever. I hateContinue reading “Quotes from the Road”
His Smile Lit Up a Room and Other Things to Say at My Funeral 