Hoping for health

November 12, 2025 — 8:47pm

Dear Reese,

It’s true that so much hits different when you’re a parent. Like rewatching Stranger Things and empathizing with Winona Ryder’s character searching for her missing son so much that it brings me to tears every episode. I pay attention to Michael and Nancy’s mom more than I ever did before.

I do this through the coughing fits I’ve been having this week. My voice, which nearly gave out over the weekend, is climbing out of its hole, but the end of this cold is brutal. You had to listen to me cough over the Hairspray soundtrack most of the way home to the point where I vomited a little. So, that’s not great.

I’ve been a little of a shell of your mom lately, and though I am so grateful MorMor and Cappi are here to be there for you too, I am hoping my health and energy return soon.

Tonight I read you a story and then you want to look through books on your own, so I close my eyes on the bed next to you. A minute later, you nudge me and smile and give me a cuddle. You also stick your fingers in my mouth and laugh. You have the best laugh. You crawl to your sleep sack for me to put you to sleep.

Love,

Mama