Old School Posts

• On Courage

  It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. E.E. Cummings Are you courageous? Have you grown up? Have you become who it is you really are? My answer to all three of these questions is the same. My answer: I don't know. I don't know if I am courageous. Sometimes, I think so. Some

• An Orange Orange World

  After school, we have lunch at a diner. After lunch, the waitress offers her a balloon. She chooses orange. I tie the ribbon around her little wrist. We are in a hurry so I hail a cab. It stops and we climb in. I sit next to her, cuddling her small body into mine as we fly down Broadway. Dist

• Meet the Prof

  Hi there. My name is Aidan Donnelley Rowley. Yes, I know that's a mouthful. Not the book editor's dream. But it's my name. Given. Maiden. Married. And you will learn to like it. Or maybe not. I am your Professor/Confessor of Insecurities. Here, there are no grades. There are very few requirem

• Ten Months Today

  Double digits, kid. Ten months. How is this possible? Just yesterday, you were curled into the nook of my arm, eyelids fluttering, a beautiful little bobble-head. And now. Now you are scooting and standing and doing that sniffy smile. Now you are opening and closing your tiny fist, waving hello,

• Leaves of Love

  On Tuesday I had the distinct privilege of accompanying Toddler and her Preschool class on a Leaf Hunt. It was a beautiful fall morning and we walked to Central Park. Once there, the kids divided into two groups and got down to business. The teachers gave each child a wonderful brown pape

• They Will Be Flower Girls

  We are off to D.C. today for Husband's sister's wedding. If you are reading this in the early part of the day, we are likely piled into a big vehicle, singing, eating Goldfish, and praying for a vomit-free trip to our destination. If you are popping by in the second part of the day, we are likel

• A Rough Week

  This week? It's been a bit rough. Physically, I've felt yucky. Mentally, I've been off. Existentially, I've been a disaster. On Monday, I was admitted to the hospital for an elective procedure to turn my baby. Yes, I know. That sounds weird. And it was weird. The short story is that the littl

• Happy Weekend!

  We are off on our first getaway as a family of five. We are headed to Grammy and Dad-Dad's in our brand new car. Please wish us luck. And by luck, I mean no vomit from the twinkling trio during the drive, and a string of sleep-filled nights during our stay. I hope you have a great weekend wherev

• Wow

  More than five years into this gig, this honor, and there are still moments of disbelief. And in these moments, the airs grows crisp with questions. I am their mother? They are mine? And I am. And they are. Wow. (Did you ever realize that Wow is Mom upside down? I don't think this

• The Leaf Party

  Do you remember running and jumping in leaf piles when you were little? I do. Do you remember the crispness, the crunch, the surrender, the smiles? I do. Do you remember feeling free, and young, and invincible? I do. Do you remember looking up, at the big blue sky and thinking there are