This is a Halloween essay from 2011. This weekend, at Jessica’s behest, we decorated the house for Halloween. Now, at your house, Halloween may be all black and orange and eerie music, but at our house, it is quite pink and sparkly. The witch’s broom glitters, and the pumpkin has a cheerful smile, and…
Tag: Stories about Jessica
On the only thing I know about parenting
People often ask me parenting questions, saying, “What would you do?” I know why they ask; it’s because I am extremely positive that I know the answer to everything except when I don’t. And yet the question always strikes me as somewhat misguided. I may be absolutely convinced that a certain course of action is…
On taking care
“You should be careful with your bag,” Jessica says to me. “It’s heavy.” “I will be, sweetie,” I tell her. “And don’t poke yourself with that pen.” “I’ll be careful,” I tell her, tucking the pen in the bag. Not comparing her to a helicopter parent or pointing out that I successfully managed all of…
On promises no one made
There is a girl at the coffee shop with her mother. She is ten or eleven, and dressed in the way girls her age dress, with flip-flops on (it is a warm afternoon) and pink polish on her toes. She has a thick book under her arm, held casually in the way that makes…
On growing up in hospitals
I wrote this during Jessica’s recent hospital stay, so don’t worry, she’s not back in the hospital. We are in Jessica’s hospital room and she is in pain, but it’s an hour before she can have any more meds, a fact that I don’t argue with the nurses over although honest to zeus you…
On coming home
Jessica has been home from the hospital for several days now and is recuperating well, whereas I am still in need of strong drink. She is an amazing young woman and I am so very proud of how she faces her struggles and challenges with such courage and dignity. I am still a little embarrassed…