(updated from a piece from 2015) Years ago, when our children were young and we lived in a duplex, the other half of our house was lived in by an older couple who had immigrated from Iran. They had a huge garden, ornate furniture, incredibly generous hearts, lots of Iranian friends, innumerable cars, and the… Continue reading Joan and Mary & The Alzmeyer’s

We lost her slowly over the past few years, one story, one day, one memory at a time. On Friday, we lost her completely. My mother in law has been ‘Mom’ to me for more than 31 years, longer even than my own mother was in my life. She was opinionated, could be a bit… Continue reading Mary Elizabeth

Yesterday, even as a lone voice called to kill the police, it was repeatedly drowned out by the young people of all colors chanting, "Black Lives Matter, Say His Name, Say Her Name, No Justice, No Peace.” On this day, a blind hate did not overcome impassioned and honest cries for Justice.  My Asian son… Continue reading Coming around.

It’s the texture in life that we appreciate even as we crave the silken smoothness. My memory is filled not with the days of bliss and calm, but with the highs, the lows, the cuts, scrapes and misadventures, for they are what make up the mosts of life. The most memorable. The most enlightening, frightening,… Continue reading Texture

Motherhood has always seemed complicated to me. It wasn’t simple in the making, arriving years after we decided to become parents. My role model was long gone. Early on, I was unsure, overwhelmed, sad, and utterly confused by those three small children, their needs, their wants, their huge personalities and endearing charms. My days rolled… Continue reading On motherhood