Anniversary

I see you for the first time through a window. I peer in from the street. You talk to strangers while you wait for me. You see me and smile. Next, a loose hug. We order food. You ask me about pomegranates. You talk about Australia. You pronounce it funny. We move outdoors. It’s February….

The Sticks, Part 2

As I mentioned previously, folks in my life often wonder why I love it here in the middle of nowhere, New Hampshire. Recently I did a bit of reflecting about that, so I thought I would share the reasons why rural life is so appealing to me in a series of posts. My #1 (read…

Octopus Parenting

I was raised by a woman who once told me that she purchased our family home for one important reason: The real estate agent told her there were plenty of babysitters around. My mother practiced a form of what some might consider “hands off” parenting. Most of the time, I was a free-range kid. I…

Cup of Coffee Sparks Childfree Thoughts

My friend and I sat across from each other at a small café, lattes within arm’s reach. Our conversation was a hushed and emotional one. She had just confessed her overwhelming fear that she would never have children. Her worry stemmed from the fact that she started dating later in life, and had only recently…