My dad and I didn’t talk much at all and that didn’t bother us. That was the way we were. I would spend most of my young life struggling, straining to think of things to say to be funny or interesting. Failing mostly, and eventually coming to the conclusion that I didn’t want to do … More 10. Tales From A Shrimp
There were things that my dad said that made me wonder how much he knew he was going to die. Sometimes I can’t decide. How much can a person comprehend that they are going to die? How much hope can you coast on? Is there a default human instinct to deny the inevitable, in order … More 9. Doubts
My dad was fading with each day. His skin was terribly dry due to not having bathed more than twice in four or five months. Ashes of his skin, fallen from when he would scratch, were all over his chair. When he was in pain he sat leaning to one side of his recliner, his … More 8. Fill In the Blanks
For a brief time in January, we were in a state of denial. My dad was putting up a brave face, eating a lot, even appearing a bit cheerful at times. One day after chemo, we went to a sushi restaurant he knew I loved. He used his craving for fried fish, in the form … More 7. Other People
Life was different now. Things were complicated. I ran errands each day. There was always something unplanned. My dad struggled with eating, which along with malnutrition would spur desperate cravings that became more errands. The errands didn’t bother me though the social aspect was difficult. I felt actual physical pain in the entire situation we … More 6. The Recently Diseased
During the few weeks I had been back home, food was a constant problem, for everyone. I tried not to make things that would involve smells since my dad was prone to feeling ill. Early on, I tried to make an egg. Quickly I saw my dad’s eyes darting angrily at me, almost questioning how … More 5. Sin Feliz Año Nuevo
I wanted to spend my entire break at home but Jon could not get out of school at the same time as me. So instead I flew down to Houston the first moment I could. My sister’s friend offered to pick me up from Hobby airport. I remember the car ride back to my house, … More 4. Countdown
Going back to school that Monday was awful. Somehow that morning I forced myself to drive to class. It took every bit of strength to put aside the emotions of my new life and keep going. As I approached the halfway point in my commute, a tiny, newborn deer lay dead in the road. The … More 3. Takes One to Know One
In the fall of 2013, my dad started to lose weight. He was having trouble eating and experiencing great stomach discomfort. All of which he never was vocal about. My family assumed he was getting older and all the bad habits were catching up. I remember my sister was in shock when she saw him … More 2. Metamorphosis
“Do you want to see Saturn?” my dad asked me, his profile outlined in faint gold from a distant street lamp. At five years old, the red Dobsonian telescope was bigger than me by more than a foot. I cautiously stepped onto a small, beige stool placed carefully in front of it. Standing on my … More 1. Our Center of the Universe
Shine A Light On Me 