Novel Mom

Do you ever think about what your life was like before a drastic change occurred in your life?  I think about the days leading up to the fire that took our house.  I remember Liz had a massive migraine and had collapsed on the couch while I spoke softly on the phone with a friend in the kitchen…talking about some challenges my daughter was facing at school.  I stay close, checking on her frequently, grateful she is resting comfortably.  I remember complaining about the seasonal time change and how much I was hoping to catch up on domestic things since the busy summer season had passed and we had successfully celebrated Liz’s 10 th birthday.  I remember going to work that Tuesday morning worrying about how I was going to put oil in the tank to keep us warm and with hot water.  I remember barely settling into work when I got the phone call…the call that would change everything.  The call that would ultimately defeat my typical ability to keep moving forward no matter what crisis befe

So it's been awhile...how typical...back to my procrastinating ways.  I have a lot on my mind lately, and much of it is stressful, worrisome stuff.  The past several weeks, though, I have been reflecting on the upcoming 13th birthday of my only daughter.  It's been emotional, exciting, fun to celebrate these past several days.  Tomorrow is Liz's birthday and the dreaded number means she is a teenager.  We have been dipping our toes in the lake known as teenager for awhile and it's been a ride. We are both trying to adapt to how she is changing and what that means to our relationship. When I have strong emotion, I am inspired to write.  I had a few quiet moments today, and was inspired to write this letter to Liz: Dear Liz, Things have changed between us, because you have changed.  Because that is the way it has to be.  But I haven't really changed.  When I look at you, I still think of the little girl in pig tails, eager to walk beside me hand in hand.  I r