When I was little, my mom tucked me in every night. I was all hemmed in. After she left the room (not to offend), I would improve her work by smoothly gliding my open hands over the sheets, blanket, and finally the bedspread. I straightened any creases, wrinkles, or bumps on the fabrics, ensuring everything … Read more

Our eyes met in the front row of a church balcony yesterday, with two empty seats between us. I noticed the toddler saw the bright lights on my Apple Watch, and I also saw that his dad, to his left, was wearing one too. I was distracted by this little beauty, missing the message from … Read more

I’ve had a couple of close calls cycling in traffic over the past couple of weeks, and last Saturday, I didn’t. I guess you could say I had a call. At the risk of sounding dramatic, it was a little like Bob Dylan’s “knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door,” the song I heard shortly after. … Read more

On my bike at a stop sign, I was ping-ponging my neck, patiently waiting for the gap in traffic so that I could zip across the busy intersection. Two elite-athlete-looking cyclists in spandex pulled up to my left. Decked out in full kit and fully fit, they could have just come from a cover shoot … Read more

I fell asleep last night, moments after being inspired by Aubrey’s Instagram post. In the photo, the beautiful young woman with the beaming smile had her arms spread, displaying, “embracing” the massive quantity of empty prescription bottles covering a coffee table. She eloquently and vulnerably wrote that she both resented and was grateful for these … Read more

“The Lord God is subtle, but malicious he is not.” — Albert Einstein   This past Sunday, my pastor mentioned his affinity for the Irish Goodbye. Same here. I like to think he and I have a lot in common, but his brain and heart are way bigger than mine. Joey’s Earth exit was an Irish Goodbye, and in that … Read more

Every part of this was unexpected (the podcast AND the fallen tree). And then while listening to this podcast, my sneaky tears blindsided me even more. I asked myself, Why was I crying?—and I knew the answer. Hearing it gave me that sense of being fully known (my love language)— even by a non-human AI-generated … Read more

As old as I am, I’m still bad at math and count on my fingers. That’s okay because these digits that have touched the world, and no one counts that high anyway. Just yesterday, I was fourteen when I asked my mom if I could wear mascara, and she said, “Let’s start with Vaseline.” So, … Read more

“In order to catch a wave, the planets have to align . . . not to mention so many other things that must come together in perfect synchronicity. You have to successfully navigate around other surfers, spot a rideable wave, properly anticipate the speed of the wave, paddle your arms like crazy and get into … Read more

“I finally reminded myself that there is simply no way to truly comprehend the struggles of another.” —Kirsten Mickelwait, The Ashtrays are Full and the Glasses are Empty   I fell mute. After Joey died, stringing together a few words felt impossible. As of today, it’s been thirty-one months, and my ability to hold a conversation … Read more