What's Your Superpower
and I'll show you a Super Weakness
Hello Friends,
Owen: Hey mom,
Me: Yeah.
Owen: Name a superpower and I’ll tell you a super weakness.
These are my favorite “Owen talks.”
Me: How about, I always know the fastest way through traffic.
Owen: But you have road rage.
Me: Superspeed
Owen: You always get lost
Me: I can build anything.
Owen: But you can’t read the instructions
We laugh and then he contemplates a bit.
Owen: Hey mom, What do you think it would have been like if Aiden never got cancer?
He usually asks these questions when we are in the car. I think it might be easier for him to talk about tough topics when he doesn’t have to look at me directly.
Me: I think all your LEGO sents would be broken by now.
He smiles, and I go on.
“I think he would have demanded to talk to your class on Zoom during the pandemic. I think you would have watched a lot more PBS kids than you would have liked. I also think you would be reading him stories before bedtime and teaching him how to kick a soccer ball.”
Owen sits back satisfied with my answer and I think my superpower might be talking to my kids about grief and my super weakness is wishing I never had to learn.
This is where I am today. Thank you for listening.
xoxo,
Emily
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Read This Week
After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I'd classify this book as a "happy for now romance."
Lauren and Ryan have been married for several years and are miserable. They decide to live apart for a year to see if they can fall back in love again. I think the author wanted me to want the relationship to survive, but there was nothing in the narrative that had me rooting for them. (more)
Forever Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid
From the opening scene where we meet Elsie and Ben, newlyweds so clearly in love, I cared about these characters. Then when Ben is hit by a car when he goes out to satisfy his bride's craving for Fruity Pebbles I was fully invested in the story and ready to turn the page. This is the mark of a really satisfying story. (more)
Links to Ponder
Do you have a favorite corner in your home? (Cup of Jo)
Lizzo was on SNL and it was so good! (Vulture)
“The truth is often more fascinating than fiction.” Nine historical novels featuring real people. *(Crime Reads)
The contradictions of grieving a sibling (Modern Loss)
For all the mothers I have been. * (Cup of Jo)
The burden of bearing witness * (Bizarre)
This isn’t the PB&J from your childhood (Washington Post)
A woman who lost her foot in the Boston Marathon bombing is back to run again * (Washington Post)
“I can’t imagine.” An earnest gesture that rarely brings comfort to the grieving (Modern Loss)
Helpful links for focus and creativity
YouTube Channels * (Mashable)
Soundtracks for creativity My Favorites are from On Repeat and Snack and Destroy (Substack)
Listen to a random forest with Tree.fm
Your Journal Prompt for Today
What are you reading or listening to this week? What have you created that wasn’t there before? Post your response in the comments below or tag me on Instagram @emilykathleenwrites