Do I kneel now or later? Why is everyone making the sign of the cross? And why am I standing again after I just sat down? These questions raced through my teenage mind when at age fifteen, I attended Catholic Mass for the first time. I was with high school friends on a Saturday afternoon…
Days before my husband’s death, he voiced the most beautiful sentiments. He rushed his emotionally charged words, as if they had an immediate expiration date, or perhaps to keep pace with the speed we traveled to his last medical appointment. Whatever the reason, I was equally shocked by the timing of his intimacy and touched…
May 4, 2018 Dear Grace, The day is finally here, your 16th birthday. Happy Birthday – I hope it’s a sweet one and that all your birthdays bring you many blessings, joys, and fond memories. I know this particular birthday you’re focused on obtaining your driver’s license! I sense nights of worry ahead. But…
July 6, 2017 Dear Grace, Happy (belated) 15th Birthday! It’s hard to believe but 14 years ago, on a flight from Salt Lake City to Chicago, I began this annual birthday letter tradition. Ironically, I write your 15th birthday letter again on a flight from Salt Lake City to Chicago, but under entirely different…
June 22, 2016 Dear Grace, Happy 14th Birthday! You’re seated in row 33c on Delta flight 51 from London-Heathrow to Salt Lake City as I begin writing your annual birthday letter. We’re returning home after eight days in England. We seemed to enjoy the trip despite it not being a wild and crazy adventure,…
June 29, 2015 Dear Grace, Happy 13th Birthday! Once again, I’m late in writing my birthday letter to you. I’m sitting at Ying’s laundromat washing Luna’s horse blanket. The owner just chewed me out (and rightly so) for bringing the blanket here – I didn’t realize that horse hair can stay in the washing…
May 17, 2014 Dear Grace, Happy belated 12th Birthday! I can’t believe I never finished your 11th birthday letter; it’s still in my notebook. Please accept my apology as I started the Master of Arts in Teaching program two days after your 11th birthday. Needless to say, this last year has been extremely busy,…
August 10, 2013 Dear Grace, Happy belated 11th Birthday! I’m late again with your annual letter. I’m starting this letter while sitting by the pool. You’re here with Ella and Jade but the lightning alarm sounded so you’re having a basket of fries instead of swimming. You’re discussing ingredients in Jello (e.g. horse bones,…
May 13, 2012 Dear Grace, Happy 10th Birthday! You celebrated your birthday by a hosting a “sleepover” with Bella and Ella. Q also came but she couldn’t spend the night. Alyssa was invited but later was grounded and couldn’t come and Sky wasn’t able to make it on account of a karate tournament. I…
June 22, 2011 Dear Grace, Happy 9th Birthday! Can you believe I’m starting this letter nearly six weeks after your actual birthday? Although, you may recognize this paper from one of the souvenirs we bought at the Louvre? The good news, as I write on our flight from Paris to Boston (you and Harry…