“If skincare was her gift, then it needed to feel like a gift.” Ahhhh, the essence of my struggle. Around here it’s not skincare, but the siren call of the Apple watch. And the associated (& indulged, after much talking and tears) siren call of the dumb, look-alike watch.
The summer before college I read Paulo Coelho’s Veronika Decides to Die. Afterward I went around saying my mantra was “embrace your madness.” Once I left home my dad’s weekly letters had EYM! in the return address. From the child perspective I thought of it as a little boost, a cheer of encouragement. As a parent, I can see the plea.
Loved this essay so much. This will stay with me for a long time: "I balance meaning the way other people balance numbers.But that’s nothing new. Every mother holds infinite tensions inside herself (beginning with: I wouldn’t trade you for anything / What happened to my life)." Also - STAY FREE, MY LITTLE WEIRDOS! is my new parenting mantra for 2024.
I really loved reading this. Hilarious and so dang relatable!
You nailed it! (Sorry. Also true.)
“If skincare was her gift, then it needed to feel like a gift.” Ahhhh, the essence of my struggle. Around here it’s not skincare, but the siren call of the Apple watch. And the associated (& indulged, after much talking and tears) siren call of the dumb, look-alike watch.
The summer before college I read Paulo Coelho’s Veronika Decides to Die. Afterward I went around saying my mantra was “embrace your madness.” Once I left home my dad’s weekly letters had EYM! in the return address. From the child perspective I thought of it as a little boost, a cheer of encouragement. As a parent, I can see the plea.
This was so funny and moving.
Oh I love that phrase. And wow, what a dad.
I loved this so much.
Loved this essay so much. This will stay with me for a long time: "I balance meaning the way other people balance numbers.But that’s nothing new. Every mother holds infinite tensions inside herself (beginning with: I wouldn’t trade you for anything / What happened to my life)." Also - STAY FREE, MY LITTLE WEIRDOS! is my new parenting mantra for 2024.
Oh thank you, Elizabeth.
Let's get a flag with that mantra on it. Ha!
I love this and and the purple lizard toe nails and why isn't this in a big publication where a gazillion people can read it?
You are so kind. I REALLY need to be less lazy about submitting things, huh?! It just takes so darn long to hear back!!
I hear ya!