Gravy for Parents

Gravy for Parents

The alarm blared at 5 AM. My body, more than my mind, resisted the start of a new day. How I wanted to ignore reality and slip back into my down-covered dreamworld. But the disciplined part of me wouldn’t allow such. Instead, as has become the habit of most folks, the...

The Disempowered Child

He couldn’t have been older than seven or eight years. He walked with a large backpack, weighing down his already sagging shoulders. His eyes were downcast. His spirit vacant. She was right behind him screaming, “Don’t you ever do that again!” or “You’re going to get...

The Optional Component

It was as if his eyes told the whole story. They seemed hollow, lifeless. He looked past you. Over you. Around you. Any place but at you, as if intentionally avoiding all human contact. Despite his uninviting manner, I attempted to reach him on more than one occasion....