Words Of Wisdom

In my birthday card this year, my grandfather wrote "BE HAPPY" and that has stayed with me ever since, echoing in my mind whenever I feel lost.

Perception Or Reality?

Thanksgivings with my family get stranger and stranger as I age.

Good Enough

Even though I have not lived with my parents in four years and am largely independent of them, I still want them to be proud of me and support my decisions.

From Beyond The Veil

I think that if I knew in advance that I was about to die I would use Blogger's new Schedule A Post feature to leave a message for my family and friends a week after my death.

Sorry - Please Try Again

The universe giving me a sandwich does not really make up for the fact that my cousin was just killed in a boating accident.

Protection

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you cannot keep someone from making their own mistakes.

The Meeting Of The Powers

Tonight my mother, father, and baby sister will meet Dan's mother for the first time, but while I'm sure everything will be fine, I cannot shake this nervousness.

The Ties That Bind

Getting drunk on wine with your boyfriend's mom is a wonderful experience.

Low Fuel Lights, For Example

Sitting in a borrowed car that has run out of gas with an incredibly pregnant woman and a toddler on a very hot and humid day makes you appreciate the finer things in life.

"Hello, Two Sisters?"

The world just feels more right now that she is working at the bookshop again.

What If I Say The Wrong Thing?

My niece has requested my advice for her upcoming (and impending) E(nd)O(f)G(rade) exams and I cannot help but feel excited about my first real 'auntly' duty but I am afraid of letting her down.

"I Have News"

It's a boy!

Perhaps He Will Offer Me Black And White Cookies And Orange Soda

There is an older man who comes into work all the time who looks just like my grandfather: every time I see him, I have to restrain myself from asking his name and searching for some glimmer of recognition in his eyes.

Bun In The Oven!

I'm going to be an aunt again and I'm so excited.

So Much Is At Stake

After reading my cousin's blog I am reminded that every generation strives to be better than the previous; reoccurring exclamations declaring that we will not act this way, we will make better decisions, and should we forget why we are making an effort, to look to our parents and their generation for reminders of what we have to face should we fail.

Sometimes I Wish It Were True

It breaks my heart to hear one of my dearest friends talk about how she hopes that God will cure her mother of Paranoid Schizophrenia.

Hiss...Boom!

Tonight I was with my nephew when he saw fireworks for the first time, and I was filled with hope and happiness.

Geological Philosophy

We are all kin to stars.

Forever Gone Is The Idealized Mother Of My Childhood

The more I work on this post, wording and rewording the same thoughts over and over again, the more I come to realize that it all boils down to this: after my experience in Virginia, I will never look at my mother the same way again.

Click, Click, Click, Click, Click, Woosh, Wee!

Watching my baby sister learn that she loves roller coasters is like discovering part of myself in her that I cannot wait to cultivate further.