Author Archives: LwithaC

Kindergartener, COVID and Disneyland

So we did it, we took Bean to Disneyland. It was her first trip! We had planned to take her when she turned 5 but… #2020 The pandemic continues and I had my hesitations, but seeing as we all had it in February, I figured this was our window of opportunity before it mutates more.Continue reading “Kindergartener, COVID and Disneyland”

Eavesdropping on love

I was at the playground a month or so ago, when the family on the bench next to me started having an intense conversation. I tried to give them their privacy and kept my head down, working on my postcards, and I tuned out a lot of it (“He’s just trying to make you jealous,”Continue reading “Eavesdropping on love”

Things I Do Not Understand

Things I Do Not Understand: War Edition I know that I do not know much about international relations, world politics, or war.  I am not a strategist or a scholar of authoritarian regimes.   I am broadly educated in world history up to about 1946 when we ran out of time to finish the syllabus so listened toContinue reading “Things I Do Not Understand”

Cruelty, Callousness and COVID

So, it happened. My family caught COVID last month. We had a sense it was heading our way when cases started appearing in our child’s kindergarten class. She had a bit of a sniffle so we tested her at home and it came up positive. That was a Sunday. We cancelled plans and pulled herContinue reading “Cruelty, Callousness and COVID”

The Women Who Stepped Up

I’ve been thinking a lot about the women in my life, specifically the ones who stepped up and into a positive role without really needing to. The women who didn’t owe me anything but paid it forward anyhow. In ways great and small. The women at the laundromat who shared with me the value ofContinue reading “The Women Who Stepped Up”

Lessons (Re) Learned

Recently I’ve been reminded of the importance of boundaries. I’ve never been great at healthy boundaries, I either lock people out completely and provide a curated character to interact with the world, or I fire hydrant blast all my thoughts everywhere. Over the past few years I’ve gotten better at being less performative, I’ve integratedContinue reading “Lessons (Re) Learned”

Parenting in End Times

I’m learning that I’m rarely alone in my feelings or my thoughts, however isolating they may feel. So I’m wondering if there are others out there who struggle with raising a child amid the climate crisis. Within ten years the world may change so much we are in unending catastrophe. My girl will have justContinue reading “Parenting in End Times”

Baked Potato and Progress

I read a note I wrote on Facebook in 2009, and I was so proud of myself because I had baked a potato all by myself. I share this vulnerable moment with you, so that you know there is nothing too small to celebrate. I didn’t have much in my adulting/self-care/survival skills toolbox. That potatoContinue reading “Baked Potato and Progress”

Lessons in Unlearning

My child is six. She has lived a short period of time and yet has learned so much. She tells me that the sun is a star and that blood is made in our bones. She also asks a LOT of questions, like are mosquitoes REAL, and what about dragons? Her world is full ofContinue reading “Lessons in Unlearning”