Originally published in defenestrationism.net Willing the Other Line The thin print paper crackled in my quaking hands. “The usual,” I thought. So I chucked eight inches of directions, disclaimers and diagrams into the bin. Then I peed and prayed. Trying to fool the gods into thinking they would be cursing me, I circled the house. …
Category Archives: Family
Balance of Nature
Originally published in 50-Word Stories, December 14, 2022 When the doctor guided Josue into the world, his grandmother’s face crinkled in glee. “We’re fifteen now!” she squealed. The next month another doctor studied her tissue. When the pulley lowered her out of the world, bent faces crumpled in pain. “We’re fourteen now,” someone whispered while …
I Said ‘Yes’ to Everything & Now I Am Glad I Did
I simply operate on the principle that when opportunity presents itself, take it.
What We Really Learned during Distance Learning
By March, the 2019-2020 school year was humming along nicely for my sons, Devin, a kindergartener, and Thomas, a second grader. They were happy in environments that challenged and encouraged them. Their instructors sent home weekly updates, and dinner conversation filled in more detail. Devin lamented that “Ms. Smith” too often rearranged table assignments; Thomas …
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All I Want Right Now is a Door with a Lock
Featured on Red Tricycle, August 26, 2020 Distance learning resumed two weeks ago, but I realized on day one what I will need to survive it: a door with a lock. Not an easy-twist knob lock. I want a padlock. A hardened steel padlock. Actually, the door behind which I write during the day has …
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Of Everything The Pandemic Has Taken Away, I Miss Touch The Most
Featured on Scary Mommy, May 30, 2020 by Elizabeth Allison I idled in the driver’s seat when the masked man strode past my door and knocked on the trunk. I pushed the release button and watched him toss the plastic bag in, slam the trunk shut, and run off without a word. It was quick and dreamlike. Driving …
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I Used To Go Over The Top For Birthdays, And Now We Just Travel Instead
Featured on Scary Mommy, February 14, 2020 Garbage bins sat stuffed with plastic tumblers, paper plates, disposable cutlery and cardboard. So much cardboard. Each birthday gift my son had unwrapped seemed hermetically sealed inside the stuff. As I hosed down the patio, attacking gooey blue frosting and greasy mozzarella with the strongest nozzle attachment I owned, …
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We Took A Vacation With Our Child-Free Friends And It Was The Best Trip Ever
Featured on Scary Mommy, March 13, 2020 I have shared more adventures, big and small, with Pam than any person outside of my family. We met in middle school, remained close in high school and college, and served in each other’s weddings. We have never lived more than twenty miles apart, text constantly, and know virtually everything about …
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How A ‘Help Wanted’ Bulletin Board Changed Our Family
Featured on Scary Mommy, February 20, 2020 “If I do it, can I play Xbox after?” “Is everyone doing it?” “Can you just do it since you’re better at it?” So would begin the litany of questions when I assigned my sons even the most basic weekend chores. Whether charged with watering, dusting, or raking, …
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