I’m on the edge of 55, teetering so close that if I peer forward to see over my toes I’ll tumble. Young Ilina might have felt that I’d be going over the edge by this point in my life. I mean, 55! Is this where they say that more of my life is behind me than ahead of me? That’s a … [Read more...] about Age Old Advice
Dirt and Noise
Class of 2023 – The Real Deal
It was a mistake to watch the last episode of the final season of Never Have I Ever on the eve of my son’s high school graduation as he prepares to move 3000 miles away across the country in his evolution from Enloe Eagle to Oregon Duck. I am left wondering how my own parents … [Read more...] about Class of 2023 – The Real Deal
For the Love of Lark
I am much better at hellos than goodbyes. But he is ready. It matters not that I am not. But are we ever ready to say goodbye? Our Lark was so aptly named when we rescued him. We got him on a lark after our younger son took to playing pet store with his stuffed animals and … [Read more...] about For the Love of Lark
Just Let Me Take the Pictures
Dear Deal, In this season of new beginnings, just let me take the pictures. You squirm with visible impatience while irritation brims over, but understand that as you, forever my baby boy, close doors behind you, I am left in the wake of a new normal. And it’s exactly the … [Read more...] about Just Let Me Take the Pictures
Immigrant Christmas Spirit
I remember the mauve-ish pink knee socks for me and the white tube socks for my brother. We didn’t have stockings so my mother went to our dresser drawers and pulled out those socks. I recall feeling a bit off that we now had socks with no match. Even as a child, I was a … [Read more...] about Immigrant Christmas Spirit
Reliably Unconditional Love or Unconditionally Reliable Love
How do I show I love to my sons? There are so many ways. Showing up and being someone my teens can rely on is chief among them. Take a few minutes to watch this snippet about one way I showed up when my son needed me. And yes, it was a proud mom moment to support kids who … [Read more...] about Reliably Unconditional Love or Unconditionally Reliable Love
My Thanksgiving Wish. Again.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. I wrote an essay about this concept as a writing prompt in high school, and the sentiment pops into my head every so often. Today is one of those days. This is becoming a tradition, I guess. I originally wrote this in … [Read more...] about My Thanksgiving Wish. Again.