Serendipitous Girl

When Jayde-Rhiannon was a baby, I often reminded Chris not to become too comfortable in her stages. Knowing as soon as we did, she would indeed move on to the next phase. Years later, I have forgotten my own advice. It is evident to me that I have become accustomed to her new normal. It is 3:45 a.m., and there is a brief lull; it deceives me into believing the worst is over. A year ago , I would have known better. I quickly reach for the Clorox spray and paper towels. By 4:05, her bathroom is clean. I am ready for bed. The sound of her in my bathroom makes it abundantly clear that I am out of practice. There was a time I could sense our all-nighters before they occurred. I do not miss that sixth sense. However, I miss my vibrant redhead, with her sparkling blue eyes, which did not contain a care in the world. She throws off her hoodie; her once chilled frame is now dripping. Her long hair is pulled back, cascading over her shoulders. She is curled up in front of the toilet. In the mid...

Do you remember being afraid of the dark as a child? Watching a horror movie, you knew you shouldn't have? That sickening, paralyzing rush of fear gripping your entire body? Each time I believe I have control over the one piece of me that has yet to completely heal, a wrecking ball comes crashing in, laughing as it creates its path of destruction.  Last night, I stayed up late into the morning hours, reluctant to fall asleep no matter how heavy my eyelids became.  The past week has been emotionally triggering. In ways, I have no control over. Some have made me proud of the way I handled the situation. Last night was not one of those proud moments.  After a relaxing afternoon of fawning over our new nephew, the three of us assumed our positions in the living room to watch our favorite Thursday night show, Greys Anatomy.  The black-and-white "Viewer Discretion Warning" flashed across our television. As the storyline began to twist and intermingle, what happened next wa...