Red's Wrap
Happiness. It's relative.
Tag: grandmother
When She Had Endless New Years
She had dozens of New Years before she knew the end was near. Eighty six of them. The young woman in this picture, with one hand in her pocket and the other on the arm of her husband, is my grandmother. She’s not looking… Continue Reading “When She Had Endless New Years”
I Lost the Rule Book
When she’s here, I make a bed on the floor next to our bed by stacking comforters and pillows. I turn down the blankets and put a stuffed animal on the pillow and my nine-year old granddaughter climbs in and goes right to sleep.… Continue Reading “I Lost the Rule Book”
From One to One of Many
I watch from afar. A grandmother does that. But as I watch, I remember the formation of my own family. I remember when my own daughter went from being one to one of many. She was graceful and helpful about it but looking back… Continue Reading “From One to One of Many”
Brimming
I have many thoughts about this picture. First, wearing a hat adds mystery to any ensemble. Second, much can be hidden and said under a brim. Third, all small children should have bangs. Fourth, this moment could be put in a locket. Fifth, everything… Continue Reading “Brimming”
Playing the Long Game
For all my brave talk, all my “I’m really Stevie Nicks” under these black dress pants and sensible shoes, for all my aging is a joyous, beautiful thing, a lucky thing, priceless if you take it in the right way, all my advice to… Continue Reading “Playing the Long Game”
Social Engineering
I want them to be friends when they are 30. That’s my goal. But I’ve tried to engineer a lot of relationships in the past and have usually failed. There’s a science of trying that says if you try to hard, you will queer… Continue Reading “Social Engineering”
Happy is a Razor
The tiny box of razor blades was right where I knew it would be, buried on the second shelf of the linen closet, amidst hotel bottles of shampoo and bubble packs of cold medicine. It was on my walk that it came to me.… Continue Reading “Happy is a Razor”
The Melancholy of Sunday Night
It starts around 5:00. Before that, the day has hope. At 5:00, hope evaporates into little clouds of resignation that then gather and form a storm cloud of dread. It’s as if someone has given me a pill timed to dampen my mood and… Continue Reading “The Melancholy of Sunday Night”
My First Three Days as an Au Pair
After a three-day apprenticeship, my twin infant grandsons were left in my care. I would say ‘our care’ but my husband was asleep on the couch for the duration so it seems unnecessarily inclusive and gratuitous to allow much credit to flow his way.… Continue Reading “My First Three Days as an Au Pair”
100 Posts and One Little Girl
Every Saturday we take our 6-year old granddaughter to a Rec Department ballet class in a nearby high school. The class meets in a room used by the special ed program; every week, there are new questions written on the board. “What will you… Continue Reading “100 Posts and One Little Girl”
Snow Door | wisconsinacademy.org
Listen to Jan read her essay “Billy” presented on WUWM’s Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “At the Breakfast Bar” on WUWM Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “The Parish Hall,” on WUWM Lake Effect
“Fury Cannot Touch Me,” Modern Love, NYT, 9/29/11
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