When Thinking Ahead Goes Awry

At times of high stress like this one, something in me makes me consider every potential future available to me so that I can, apparently, simply stress over something beyond my grasp. I ponder where I’ll live in ten years, what I’ll be doing for work, who...

Observations from a Hospital Room

This morning, I am sitting at UVa Hospital. My mom is trying to rest in her hospital bed. My dad has a booklight clipped to his lapel. The women sharing the room with Mom are discussing sewing projects. I looked out the window to the hills of the Blue Ridge and the...

Sleeping Like a Cat

Today, I am at home on the couch. I keep dozing off through moments of the various CSI episodes on Spike TV (why is that every time I’m home sick Spike seems to be the best TV option?). On the other end of the sofa, Oscar and George, both orange cats, are dozing...

The Strength of Trees

My dad is a tree farmer. My mom is a tree lover. My brother and I grew up being able to identify most basic types of trees by just looking at their leaves and bark. We even knew we could “brush our teeth” with birch branches. So when I walk or drive...