Memoir

“It still feels like a miracle,” I said to Frank this morning as I sipped my tea and stared across the sparkling water of Rich Passage, a section of Puget Sound that runs between our new island home and the distant shore of mainland Washington.

It’s been seven months since we made the leap to a new state, a new home and the myriad discoveries of island life. The sense of mystery and wonder is still palpable. Nearly every day, one of us exclaims, “We live here!” or “This is our home!” as if saying it a thousand times will somehow normalize it.

Somewhere in the last ten years I turned into a voracious reader. I’ve always loved storytelling, especially in visual media such as films, television series, and even dance. But lately, I just can’t seem to get enough of books. Each one is its own universe, an invitation to activate my imagination and perceive life through a completely different lens. Some books are fast food, enjoyed for a moment and forgotten. Others leave an indelible mark, shaping me in ways it might take years to fully understand.

The day after posting Claiming a Role in Global Evolution, I embarked on the mysterious journey of writing a book. The best way I can describe it is this: A Beacon Future grabbed me by my imagination, and ushered me through a doorway of intimate creativity and self-discovery. The last eleven weeks have been a fascinating ride, and in many ways it’s just beginning.

When I was three years old, I joined the swim team at our Country Club. All the kids in our family were strong swimmers, and mom had taught us to be fearless in the water. My first competitive race was in a division for age five and under, and I was the youngest of the […]

It was January of 2019, and I was sitting on a beach in Punta Mita, Mexico, listening to the lush melodies of Gonzalo’s instrumental guitar. Colorful flags and flaming torches surrounded the area where, hours earlier, we’d enjoyed a Mexican feast and joyful laughter, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with pastel hues.

I couldn’t believe I was about to walk away from it all. Wasn’t this my dream?

It’s Christmas Eve, and I’m standing in the living room looking at the tree. I’m wearing my new red velvet dress with the lace collar. I love to squint my eyes and make the colored lights get blurry. You can’t see any of the wires anyway, because mom says we have to be meticulous when we put the lights on. I think that means perfect.

Jeanine and I were in New York for a week in late May of 2012, enjoying Broadway theatre and seeing friends. Princeton Reunions were happening that weekend, and I wanted to share the experience with her.