I've learned, slowly and steadily throughout my life, that the older I got, the more hard things I seem to need to do. I think this is because, on top of all the challenging things I learned to overcome previously, more and more and more are added on top of the stack, without the old ones being taken away. Learning to communicate was hard as a baby. I don't remember it, but I'm sure it was. Learning to walk was maybe even tougher. I don't remember it, either, but I'm sure it

The Rain Falls early This morning, As I tiptoe down The stairs in thin socks And my nightgown. And the Last stair creaks, as I step on it, And the house sighs with the wind. And the hot air from the heater rattles, Rattles against the vents. But I tiptoe on, Breath held, as I pass the silent kitchen, into The living room, to the big window, where I press My face eagerly against the cold glass. And I can smell In the air that cold, earthy dampness that is the first rain, The f

In the summer of last year, I had an idea to start on a journey to compile together a list of memorable books from my childhood. I loved books—I still do—and growing up, there was no short supply of them. After trips to the library, we would come home, hauling several large bags stuffed full. About a week or so later, we were done; we would go back to the library and check out a couple dozen more. All these books shaped my childhood; they became part of my life. They became p