To all moms—biological moms, adopted moms, stepmoms, foster moms, moms to be, moms who never were, aunties, moms of pets, caretakers of anyone’s children, grandmothers (of course!), and those who simply care a great deal about the children in your community or the world. Thank you for cherishing and nurturing the future along with those individuals you love and care for each day.

I hope I didn’t leave anyone out.

I write on my laptop, in a barricaded corner of the living room near the kitchen—eight feet from the coffee grinder and coffee maker—surrounded by instruments of creation, including my L-shaped desk that used to work in a bank. The remaining wires from the silent alarm were removed just prior to positioning the desk in my living room. (more…)