Category Archives: identity

How craigslist connects us in the most unexpected ways

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

It has been almost a year since I caved into the allure of purchasing expensive in-home exercise equipment.  My aging ankles consigned me to elliptical machines at the gym, but my six-year olds seemed incompatible with an absentee mom, so … Continue reading →

Posted in children, community, connection, encounters, family, identity, Vietnam | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Family day: a momentous occasion

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

I was reminded by Ed today that it was this date in 2007 — five years ago — that we adopted Monkey Man and Gorilla Girl.  I have never been good with dates, and routinely forget birthdays and even my … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, family, identity, loss, memory, tradition | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Diversity day and inclusion: getting personal

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

My school hosted a “Diversity Day” a few weeks ago — with the intent of giving our students some workshop-like experiences that would allow them to explore more deeply our school’s motto: SAILL.  SAILL stands for support, affirm, include, listen … Continue reading →

Posted in community, education, experience, family, identity, motherhood | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

When you’re fifteen

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Gorilla Girl’s favorite music is Taylor Swift’s Fearless album.  She got the CD for Christmas, and we’ve been listening to it in my car endlessly.  One of Gorilla Girl’s favorite songs on the album is a song called, “Fifteen” about … Continue reading →

Posted in experience, growth, identity, nostalgia, stories | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Memories of Dad

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

My sister recently posted this family photograph on her Facebook page.  My dad’s birthday was February 5th, and I was thinking about him on Sunday, in part because my dad was a huge football fan.  He loved the Chicago Bears, … Continue reading →

Posted in family, identity, lessons, loss, memory | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Một con vịt”: what “sisters” teach

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

When Monkey Man and Gorilla Girl were three, we visited an older Vietnamese woman, Nu, who taught them a little Vietnamese–counting from one to ten, the words for airplane, dog and duck. Nu also was a surrogate grandmother who fed … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, connection, corn, family, food, identity, language, lessons, teaching, Tet, tradition | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

By Nightfall: Michael Cunningham

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Michael Cunningham is one of my favorite authors, and his books, The Hours and Specimen Days, are two that I have come back to when I want to think more deeply about the conditions of modern lives. Cunningham’s characters, even … Continue reading →

Posted in affluence, art, book review, By Nightfall, identity | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Class matters

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

School has started and with all the excitement of the new school year also comes some anxiety — from kids about homework, getting good grades, preparing for high school (and some of them for college).  Parents, too, have anxieties about … Continue reading →

Posted in affluence, class, community, connection, education, identity, lessons, race, teaching | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Personal questions

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

I was picking up a former college roommate from Midway Airport a couple of days ago, and because of the sudden thunderstorm, Monkey Man, Gorilla Girl and I had to wait longer than expected for her arrival.  While we waited, … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, community, connection, identity | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Making art, gorilla girl style

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Gorilla Girl has been making new pictures lately, as an addition to her budding work in photography.  She draws animals, people, g00-goos, houses, boats, cars, trains, designs and decorations.  She sketches flowers and mermaids, family and friends.  Most importantly, she … Continue reading →

Posted in art, experience, family, growth, identity, inspiration, motherhood, unexpected gifts | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments