We have a running gag in our family. It's usually no laughing matter to make light of addictions, but we just can't help it.
My mother is known for her wit, her warmth and her strength. She's also known for her Diet Coke. Every day, at least once, if she spots you with an open container, she'll ask, "Is that my Diet Coke?" Nine times out of ten, it is. She'll open one before bedtime, take a sip and set it aside for morning. You, being that amazing homemaker that you are (ahem) will think it's rubbish and head for the kitchen. Mom will stop you before you hit the sink. It's still good, she'll say. "I just need a hit of Diet Coke."
Read moreI have a laundry list of things I need to do today and a short window in which to do them. But I feel like I can't charge forward without laying down some words first.
Read moreDear Sister,
I've had tears in my eyes all weekend. Dumb ocean. Of course I missed the 2 am (and then the 3am) texts. Of course cell reception would be bad. Of course I wouldn't hear your voice tell me those sweet words. Of course your world would be sleeping, while mine would be rejoicing, wanting to shout from rooftops.
Of course, none of that matters.
Read moreDAY 1
I watch for her, sweaty children in masks making their way from the clubhouse. Her pink backpack precedes her and I wait, anxious: Did she make it ok? Sid she stay dry? Did she love it? As she turns, her frown confirms my worst fears.
Slowly, she makes her way towards me, her arm juts out, middle finger upturned in my face.
Read moreI can pick up accents. It's kind of a gift.
Drop me anywhere in the western hemisphere (so far) and I can pick up the cadence, the lilt, the structure and the pronunciations of someone else's mother tongue. Places I've experimented with this include, but are not limited to, Wisconsin, Canada, New England, the Deep South, Ireland and England. Scotland is the lone exception. It it an impossible - though beautiful - accent.
And I used to do impressions.
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