On a regular Wednesday, right before news of the global pandemic of COVID-19 started filling my social media timelines, I picked my youngest up from preschool. We walked across the parking lot, her navy-blue backpack covered in colorful cat faces hanging from her shoulders, almost reaching the backside of her knees. She had blue paint […]
For the Ones in Hiding
by May 6, 2018 4 Comments
on I remember how the fear would thicken at night. After “lights out” I would lie still, wondering if tonight was the night I wouldn’t be afraid. Seconds later I would be under my sheets, the heat of my breath warming my face. I longed for cool air on my cheeks. I longed to be free […]
Only One Stranger
by April 8, 2018 7 Comments
on My family lived in a Tokyo suburb for my early years of elementary school. I attended an American school and we lived in a modern, pale concrete-colored bottom floor house while our landlords, a young Japanese couple, lived above us. Just a short walk around the corner was my favorite donut shop, Mister Donut, and […]