Quiet Melancholy Reads

And, Just Like That, She’s Off

By M. | September 7, 2020 |

I guess I expected it would be easier this time. After all, it was my second child going to college, right? I had already explored the push and pull of wanting them to start their lives, but also longing for them to stay close that is the hallmark of parenting. Surely I’d be fine at…

When Midnight Hits and You’re Wide Awake

By M. | March 7, 2018 |

I don’t have insomnia. I feel like insomnia is like depression, we all experience it from time to time but not everyone legit has it and we shouldn’t throw it around willy-nilly. But, it’s midnight and I find myself wide-awake. Why I’m awake is anyone’s guess. Maybe it’s because last night I hardcore fell into…

The Legend of The Fourth of July in My Hometown

By M. | July 4, 2017 |

When I was growing up, July 4th was my favorite holiday. Forget the high holy days, or even the guaranteed full-size Snickers at that weird lady’s house down the street on Halloween. It was the Fourth of July I lived for. I lived in a charming little beach town on the shoreline of Connecticut called,…

Hey Mom and Dad, Applying to College Is Killing My Mojo

By M. | October 15, 2015 |

I have a vague recollection of my life before I was applying to college. There was this magical thing called free time. We had other things to talk about. My value and worth wasn’t a combination of my GPA and my SAT scores. I didn’t have to write 500 words about who the hell I…

Cheating Death: 30 Years of Borrowed Time

By M. | September 7, 2015 |

We weren’t doing anything wrong. We weren’t drinking or doing drugs. We were good kids hanging out on the last night of summer. But that Sunday night of Labor Day weekend 30 years ago ended in a way we never could have predicted. It was eight kids in a Toyota pick-up truck versus an unforgivably…

Melancholy Christmas

By M. | December 24, 2014 |

Christmas is my favorite holiday. No surprise. It’s a lot of people’s favorite holiday. I grew up in a house without a lot of money, so we never got a ton of presents. Since I became a parent I’ve sort of overdosed on making my kids’ Christmas dreams come true. It’s been healing and fun…