To Hold Everyone Close And Keep Them Safe From Harm

To be referred to as a "blessing" makes me feel very good about my interactions with people but at the same time, I feel as if I could be doing more.

Reach Out And Touch Someone

I have so many people on my AIM list that I haven't had contact with in ages but I cannot bring myself to delete their names.

Makes Me Ideal For Retail

I smile when I'm angry and I laugh when I'm nervous so it doesn't really come as much surprise that I have been described as 'difficult to read'.

Lots Of Cheek-Love, Anyway

If the person you kiss at midnight is the person you're going to be kissing the rest of the year, I'm going to have lots of love!

If A Equals B And B Equals C Then A Must Equal Kumquat Jam

I've never dealt well with being yelled at and, knowing that, one must wonder just what she thinks will be accomplished by screaming at me and then, in the same breath, telling me that I never come over any more.

She Doesn't Know That Her Time Has Passed

In such a place as this is - so alive with speech and movement, I feel as if I am merely the ghost of a girl who once sat in the window booth of the old establishment, ages before anyone knew of the Gin Blossoms or Bud Light.

A Phone Call I Never Anticipated Making

What is the proper reaction upon finding out that someone whom, up until four years ago, you saw several times a week but were never terribly close to has died?

Fathers And Sons

I envy the ease of their relationship and genuine pleasure that they gain from one another's company.

He Who Should Not Be A Manager

Anyone who uses the word 'snafu' needs to be slapped in the face.

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.

Reaching The Minds That Have Not Yet Closed

Listening to her talk about the class she is teaching in the fall makes me wish that I would follow through with my dream of teaching science to elementary school students.

As Close To A Country Song As You'll Find In "These Parts"

After he kissed me and grabbed his guitar, he jumped into the back of a pick-up truck headed towards his destiny.

Think What You May Have Missed

The lost sleep was totally worth it.

More Unkindness Than Anyone Should Endure

After revisiting my youth in conversation with her tonight, I've come to the conclusion that she needs to get out there as soon as possible.

At A Snail's Pace

Slowly, ever so slowly, the gaps are being bridged.

Chin Up, Put On A Pair Of These Roseys

You know that you've been working in retail too long when you can be on the verge of breaking and still be able to pass off a smile and a hearty 'hello-how-are-you' as genuine.

I'm Not Really That Unknowing

Sometimes I pretend not to know about something that I do, in fact, know about in order to have an opportunity to listen to someone speak.

Bitchin' Birthday

I must admit that seeing my mother get angry over "Stitch And Bitch" and not being able to punish me was a particularly delightful joy.

It's The Hip New Place To Be

Today I went to the laundromat for the first time and the only person I made eye contact with was a three year old boy, with whom I share an affinity for Starbursts.

I Wish That Things Were Different

Whenever I listen to songs about relationships between fathers and daughters or between mothers and daughters I always get amazingly sad - moved to tears.