Happy Birthday, Jessica!
For my beautiful daughter —
Thank you for teaching me the meaning of joy.
Similar Posts
For Jessica
A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine and I were talking about a study she’d just read, which concluded that people without children were happier than people with children; or, to put it more precisely, despite what conventional wisdom holds, the study found that having children did not increase anyone’s happiness. At which…
A life in dragons
“I will try to like dragons,” Jessica says. We are standing in the China Pavilion at Epcot, because despite my deep aversion to the Disneyfication of the world, Jessica loves Disney. Specifically, the Walt Disney World Resort. So we go every now and then, and I always enjoy it because someone else…
Snow Falling on Dogs
Dakota, my big malamute, is straining at the leash, pulling me forward. But Jessica, my young daughter, is dawdling ten steps behind. As usual, Taz and I are caught in the middle. Taz, my mid-size, part-cocker spaniel, part-chow mutt, stands patiently by my left foot while I sort the others out. I tell Dakota,…
On most-wanted lists
Jess and I are going to see Muppets: Most Wanted, and she wants to know what “most wanted” means. Me: If the police know you’ve done something criminal, but they don’t know where to find you, they might put you on the most-wanted list. Then if you’re spotted, the police will arrest you. Jessica: Well,…
On what a true gift is
So Jessica is off to be with her father for a few days and though I do not immediately close the door behind her and yell “Yee-haw!” before laying in supplies of 1800, I would be lying if I said I don’t adore having some time and space to myself. I would also be lying if I did…
The Vanishing Twin
Sometimes I hear the echo of my son’s laughter. I never bore a son; I should have, but I had a miscarriage. He was a twin to my daughter, and it is a loss no one acknowledged at the time because everyone was focused on trying to save Jessica. I can only grieve it years…