parenting
-
Flipping the Script
Dear Mom, “It’s exhausting taking care of me.” You wrote that in a journal entry titled A Day in the Life dated 3/21/13. I understand. Maybe not in the same way, but I get it. Your exhaustion was due to… Continue reading
-
Loud and Proud
Dear Mom, Last week I wrote about the similarities my children have to you. So much about them that reminds me of my mother. This week I’ve been wondering what you would have been like if you were encouraged more… Continue reading
-
Making Amends
Dear Mom, In the middle of the night. After you fall asleep. I leave my bedroom. I lock my door from the outside with my fingernail. I tiptoe slowly, with a great amount of stealth, down the hallway. I can’t… Continue reading
-
The Complexities of Compassion
Dear Mom, You have been dead for nine and a half years. With every day it feels like what you have missed multiplies exponentially. It can feel shocking at times. As if you wouldn’t even know me if you passed… Continue reading
-
Can I Take Responsibility and Still Question Everything?
Dear Mom, Yesterday morning at breakfast, Idris asked me how I could send you letters if you’re dead. Good question, right? My answer was that I am not sending the letters anywhere. I’m simply writing them. In the hopes that… Continue reading
-
Let’s Talk About Sex
Dear Mom, As promised, I’m writing to you today to talk about sex. More specifically, I want to talk about the flaws in the sex education I, and most of my generation, received. The sex education that was heavy on… Continue reading
-
The Duality of Vulnerability
Dear Mom, When I first started writing these letters to you, I opened myself up to criticism that made me deeply uncomfortable. Similar to the themes of last week, getting criticism, especially criticism about my writing and ultimately my feelings,… Continue reading
-
Can I Ask You Something?
Dear Mom, As I begin to explore the true source of my insecurities, I have one big question for you. First, I want to put it out there that I’m not blaming you. I know that my problems are my problems. I… Continue reading
-
I Need You, Again
Dear Mom, It’s been over four years since I last wrote to you. I’m sorry. I could come up with a bunch of excuses. Life got in the way. I took a break from writing nonfiction to focus on my… Continue reading
Sober Letters to Mom 