Leaving for Foster

I didn't have to do anything except gather the plastic bags full of his shirts and pants and socks and underwear and shoes. Bags with books and teddy bears. All he had. I stood in the room with others, including his foster Mom. We just waited watching him weep. Watching a child's heart break. He …

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How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?

I don't post much anymore and this post is long and it's not funny but I really hope you will read it. I ask you to read it. And share it because it matters not just in Portland, not just in Oregon but throughout the U.S. My mother was a teacher before I was born. …

Profoundly Resilient

Today is Brigid's 16th birthday! It is hard to believe that just four months ago this happened: Brigid was in the back seat behind the driver. Here you can see her car door stuck to the grill of the car that hit them.   We were in the hospital for 10 days. Brigid in her …

A Family of Names

My parents names are John and Joan. Their siblings names are Anita, Agnes Marie, Catherine, Dennis, Gerard, John, Maryann. All of the children of those families are: Maggie, John, Katie, Molly, Michael, Randy, John, David, Jennifer, Mary, Tricia, Michael, Bill, Jane, and I think I’m missing 3 others from that family, Michael, Patrick, Tom, Yvonne, …

Dear Katie,

For my readers who don't know Katie's story, please refer back here and here. Katie has been home for a few months and returns to school today. She is still working so hard and has come so far and her reward is a touch of normalcy, she gets to go to school half time for …

Parenting Disclosures from my Childhood

I am happy to report that three days in, the new rules at my house are still working. No one has missed the Volvo bus to school. The girls understood the situation that while I was really upset on Sunday, this is not a punishment but more a reorganization. Thank you all for your comments, …