I would like to again welcome my sister, Leah Shaw, who you saw in the Eulogy for My Mother post last year. Mom would have been 63 today. We miss her. Also, grief is wierd, and messy, and never final at all. This is a window into both the life, and death, of our mother. … More Mommage
I’ve tried to figure out something to say about this election, but the last few days I’ve felt like a fish on a dock–reeled in, hooked by the mouth, gills gasping for air. I didn’t realize I would be this upset by this outcome…but I am. The things that I have heard from my black and … More A “sermon” for myself
This is the eulogy for my mother from her funeral service. It was written by myself and my two sisters, and spoken by Leah and I. I wanted to post it to share some of my sweet mama’s life lessons to us, and for those who might have wanted to be there, but couldn’t. Erin … More Life Lessons from my Mother: A Eulogy
Given that I have worked at two colleges in the past decade, I am facebook friends with a lot of current and former students–many of them are African-American. Yesterday, compared to times when there was media coverage of shootings involving white cops and black men, I saw more collective and individual anger than I have … More Aftermath
A few weeks ago, Paul and I were coloring with chalk outside on the driveway. I decided to draw a princess, and chose a medium brown chalk piece for her skin color. Paul looked over at what I was working on, and said “Mama…why does your princess have brown skin? Princesses don’t have brown skin.” … More Kid’s TV: An example of why being inclusive isn’t some crazy “liberal, left-wing” thing.
Do you know someone who has had an abortion? Well of course you do, because 33% of women have had one by age 45. They work with you, sit next to you in the church pew, wait in line with you, eat next to you in restaurants. Or maybe they are you. But who have … More Thoughts on abortion and sex ed
“Is your son biracial?” asks the ~17-year old behind our grocery store deli counter, as he flips our cold cuts on to the scale. He has hazel eyes, medium, bronzed skin, and straight, wiry hair. “Well, yes, he is.” I reply. “I thought so. I’m biracial too. He’s a handsome kid!”, the teenager says, directing a grin … More Diversity: it’s not just about celebrating differences
