He’s my office mate and I’m sure he had no idea what was about to befall him when my boss walked me into our shared office last June. And share I have. Over shared, in fact, most days. Everything that goes through my head comes out of my mouth and there is only one thin cubicle wall between me and him. He hears it all.
I love bed time for all the wrong reasons. Actually, one specific wrong reason: because it means in 45 minutes I will have three hours all to myself. A crackling fire, a glass of wine and the fourth book in the Game of Thrones series call my name plaintively from downstairs, forcing me to dig deep and breathe slowly through the last push.
I’ve been knocked down, almost knocked out, had my feet stomped on countless times, and even had a piggy-back ride choke me to the point of seeing stars. All of this from two little people who love me so much they simply can’t stay off me. Their hearts would break if they realized how many injuries I have sustained in this job of raising them. Despite all these bumps, bruises, cuts, and scrapes, I can say with my whole heart that my kids have healed me much more than they’ve hurt me.
In the soft morning light, as he melted into me, my heart expanded. With each smile, each hug, each mischievous giggle, my heart has stretched further than I ever dreamed it would. Like sharp, broken glass, tumbled by the ocean current, my love for him smoothed and softened. Sea glass. I cannot imagine another day of my life without him in it.My love for him is like sea glass. My treasured boy has taught me that sometimes, out of disappointment, we find immeasurable joy. Unexpected, endless joy.
Now that I am a parent of two independent, able-bodied youth, my mother derives great pleasure from pointing out the ways in which my daughter is just like I was …
Today was the first nice day since my kids got out of school for the summer. I had a plan: A hike to the top of Mount Sentinel, the University …
My little guy is just like his dad. In every way. They love to do the same things—ride bikes, fish, play lacrosse, hockey, fiddle with as many Apple products as …
When I first had children, my sister couldn’t believe how much patience I developed—for everything. How easily I rolled with the punches. My then toddler and baby. My mother’s critiques …
I was out of town and standing in a long line, sandwiched between two mothers with their children we all started a conversation. Talk was typical enough, but quickly changed …
