Category Archives: The language of families

Three Views

Posted on January 24, 2020 by Mrs. Spit

On Wednesday my nephew began to exhibit signs of a stroke. Decreased mobility on his right side, inability to remember things. I’ve been thinking about what I looked like that day and trying to reconcile. You see, if you were … Continue reading →

Posted in The language of families, the nieces and nephews | 5 Comments

As Old as my Little Finger

Posted on January 15, 2020 by Mrs. Spit

As my mother was dying, the tissue and transplant team came to me, asking what they might be able to use of hers. My mother was a thrifty woman, as am I, so I was happy to have this conversation. … Continue reading →

Posted in The language of families | 1 Comment

Yellowstone River

Posted on December 14, 2019 by Mrs. Spit

The first time I crossed the Yellowstone River it was on the way to a wedding where I met Andy and Christie. I think it was about 2003. Maybe in 2002. I can’t remember, this is what old age is. … Continue reading →

Posted in Grief, The language of families | 1 Comment

Who Stand and Wait

Posted on November 5, 2019 by Mrs. Spit

I can tell you what the problems are. In a very real sense, they aren’t problems. I will roll off this project and it will become someone else’s problem. It won’t get better, but it won’t be my pile of … Continue reading →

Posted in The language of families | 3 Comments

Data Points

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Mrs. Spit

The night we told the children, I texted my best friend that I didn’t think I could do this. She told me I could. And I did. As I was driving home from Montana, I texted a friend and told … Continue reading →

Posted in The language of families | 2 Comments

Mr Rogers

Posted on October 25, 2019 by Mrs. Spit

Dear Ben: I will make this apology to you on Sunday night, when I continue reading the adventures of Bad Kitty. It will happen right after I read to your sister from Anne of Green Gables. I will apologize, and … Continue reading →

Posted in The Cheerful Agnostic, The language of families, the nieces and nephews | 1 Comment

140 KM an Hour with Tears in my Eyes

Posted on October 19, 2019 by Mrs. Spit

I have struggled with how to start this. The lab results they handed to me. The sinking feeling. When I thought my knees might buckle. I could start with the scene in the kitchen – the part where Christie looked … Continue reading →

Posted in The language of families, the nieces and nephews | 6 Comments

You Can Have Me

Posted on September 12, 2019 by Mrs. Spit

In the middle of contract negotiations last February, I got a call. The people in the room were asking me a question. I pointed at my phone, sort of shrugged and walked out into the break out room. . My … Continue reading →

Posted in The language of families, the nieces and nephews | 7 Comments

Return to Sender

Posted on September 17, 2018 by Mrs. Spit

I thought it was the window cat bed. Which I ordered. Because it was $17 on Amazon and maybe it would keep the cat off the chair. Nash likes sitting there because he can watch the birds. I came home … Continue reading →

Posted in The language of families, the nieces and nephews | 5 Comments

And a Safety Pin

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Mrs. Spit

I crossed the stage this morning, the University conferring upon me the degree of MBA, with all the rights and privileges thereunto.  I shook the right hands, in the right order and did not fall over. Cheered for classmates. Hugged … Continue reading →

Posted in Friendship, Grad Student, The language of families | 5 Comments