Dear Olivia, Happy Birthday! My “little girl” is now officially, legally, an adult. And to be honest, that feels a little bizarre… sad… scary… surreal… but mostly — really and truly — amazing. You! Are! Amazing! I look back on … Continue reading
It’s the beginning of the best month of the year: mid-September to mid-October! I finally decided to join the Summit Metro Parks Fall Hiking Spree (“the largest and longest-running event of its kind in the nation”), and I always feel … Continue reading
One of my favorite gifts this holiday season has been a self-published book produced by my children, featuring story-sketches and images of my children. They gave a copy to both Marci and me on Santa Lucia Day (December 13th), and … Continue reading
Dear Olivia, The story of your birth is by far the craziest and coolest in our family. Jeetje! I remember riding my bicycle home from an early-morning meeting, heart leaping into my throat as I pedaled over the Amstel River, … Continue reading
Dear Cor, You are a marvelous human being. I’ve marveled at you since the day you were born: eleven years ago, in the wee hours of the morning, in the hospital across the street from the Oosterpark in Amsterdam. And … Continue reading
It was a strange sensation, having the house so quiet and empty by 7:05 AM. There’s no staggering of schedules this year because none of our children are in elementary school any more. They all wake up around the same … Continue reading
Dear Elliot, It’s a pretty decent possibility that this is the last year of me being taller than you. Probably also the last year (and maybe even the last month!) of me being a faster runner than you. You’re already … Continue reading
Dear Olivia, Dear, oh dear! Happy Birthday, my dear! That word — “dear” — is really much more than a formality with you. You are genuinely dear to me: beloved, precious, treasured, special… You are dearly loved, Olivia! You’re my … Continue reading
Happy Birthday, Elliot! Fourteen years ago, you were just 4 pounds, 13 ounces. Only 18.5 inches long. Today, you’re buying your own running shoes that are about the same size you were back then (men’s size 10!). And you’re making … Continue reading
Four soccer games. Three parties. Two-and-a-half church services. And one 12-mile run. How’s that for a restful weekend?!? I didn’t have a good attitude. I wanted to sleep in and watch football games on TV and take naps and warm … Continue reading