The year is 2007. I remember it clearly. The evening of October 23rd. Charlie is jumping on the couch in our tiny living room. Just days shy of two years old, the warm glow of the lamp on the end table highlights his white-blonde locks as he flies through the air. He bounces and falls […]
I’m at home over Thanksgiving. Not my home, but my old home that I still call home, despite not having lived there for a couple of decades. The home where my Dad lives. We are cleaning out the basement for a remodeling project–my sister, Chad, our kids. We take loads out to the driveway and […]
It was just days after Chanelle was born. Friends stopped by to visit and to meet our new little girl. They oohed and aahed at our new little bundle, while Charlie, who was not yet two, toddled around us. After a lovely visit, they were stepping outside into the darkness and the brisk cool air and one of them turned back, looked at the four of us and said, you have your boy and your girl. It’s perfect. Don’t mess with that.
Last night, before all is shut down for the night, he walks into my office to say good night. I lift my wrist and glance at my watch, 17 years ago right now, I was lying in the hospital, hooked up to monitors, as we waited and waited, and waited for your arrival.