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Into the Unknown

“We have always feared Elsa’s powers were too much for this world; now, we must pray they are enough.” – Grandfather Pabbie, Frozen 2 When I was a little girl, my father used to read me to sleep. Sometimes, I can still hear his voice, still feel his arms enfolding me while I sat on his lap, the book…

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A Song of Dreams and Nightmares

The old house stretched, vast and creaking, before us. My little sister and I walked, brushing reverent fingertips across two-hundred-year-old thresholds and peeking tentative heads into music rooms and servant’s quarters. The timbre of the docent’s voice held the same rich quality as the mahogany banister, spiraling a dizzying three flights heavenwards. Without warning, the…

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The Lightening Rod

Two days before Lizzy got sick, I took her to daily mass at the Basilica of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, MD. During mass, Lizzy fell asleep in my arms. I stood in the pews of the beautiful vaulted church, staring at the intricate mosaics and relishing the warmth of the sun filtering in…

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The Flame Imperishable

I just thought of one thing that’s permanent. Love.  – Olaf, Frozen 2 September 29, 2020 Cecilia lay fitfully beside me, fading in and out of sleep. Again and again, she veered towards consciousness, crying briefly and bumping her head against the headboard, unable to settle and unable to sleep. I murmured meaningless noises, trying…

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At the Intersection of the Other

On Wednesday, Cecilia will turn fifteen months old. Her tiny feet are still turned inwards, monkey-like, and her fragile ankles struggles to support the weight of her growing body. She works her little heart out every day while practicing standing, taking steps, shifting her weight, balancing, turning, and clasping onto my arms and fingers to…