Category Archives: Family

Cuz (Pete)

Posted on November 11, 2019 by sputterpub

The grief engulfed me when I tried to speak. Of course I mourned your unexpected death, but as I talked my tears began to leak, informing me along with ragged breath. You weren’t young but weren’t ancient yet. You’d had … Continue reading →

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Familiar

Posted on November 5, 2019 by sputterpub

I hang out with a toddler twice a week. I focus on him focusing on sights, expressing feelings, learning how to speak, reducing naps for longer sleep at nights. I’m also spending hours, now and then, with stroke recovery. At … Continue reading →

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Senescence

Posted on October 31, 2019 by sputterpub

Like reaching for a smoke after you quit, like crossing knee-on-knee inviting pain but helplessly habitual, it’s fit that I should miss you, even though disdain and criticism are the strokes you gave me growing up and aging with you … Continue reading →

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Crisis Text

Posted on October 15, 2019 by sputterpub

There comes a time in every child’s growth (much oftener than once), when life becomes too thick to process, though he may have both his parents present and a wealth of chums. It takes a village to address the job … Continue reading →

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Sateen

Posted on September 10, 2019 by sputterpub

My 90 year-old mother said to me (she’s really 93, but that’s too much for meter), that she’d like her bed to be equipped with linens softer to the touch. “I have two sets of sheets. But I’m not keen … Continue reading →

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The Omniscients

Posted on August 13, 2019 by sputterpub

My father was the guru of my youth, responding to my questions patiently. It felt as if he always told the truth – he gave me answers with calm mastery, or helped me understand we haven’t yet. We ranged from … Continue reading →

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Perturbation

Posted on August 6, 2019 by sputterpub

My mom insists her mother was a saint. I never met the woman, but I’ve heard the anecdotes forever. Mom would paint her mother immigrant-heroic, stirred to worship by (we thought) her early end. “Her energy was boundless as her … Continue reading →

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Don’t Stop Now

Posted on July 3, 2019 by sputterpub

When you were 12 years old, your father quit his job, his engineering work, his life in many ways. He took to home, to sit and view a hundred channels with his wife. He never more felt vigorous or well … Continue reading →

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To 43

Posted on June 24, 2019 by sputterpub

My 30-something son is sick again. From flu or spoiled food he’s feeling sore. His wife is ailing too, but most the men we care about appear to suffer more. She asked me was he like this as a child? … Continue reading →

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Not Such A Good Day

Posted on May 28, 2019 by sputterpub

The toddler and his parents moved last week. I skirted stacks of boxes, searched for books and toys and coffee gear, in hide-and-seek I didn’t need. I wasn’t charmed by looks or feelings. Next I was by news dismayed — … Continue reading →

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