"Social media has taught me a lot about how other people see their mothers after they’ve died..."

"I’m driving my son to preschool along Fairview Road. It’s so unseasonably warm that but for the bare bone-tops of sycamores..."

"I wake readily. Motherhood made sleeping lightly a permanent accessory. No longer do I afford myself the luxury of deep sleeping..."

"J was the most charming music teacher in my high school. He sang beautiful Italian love songs..."

Ten years later, I have yet to hear a better prayer than that.

Today is October 17th. My unofficial birthday and probably the saddest day of my year.