by Rudri | Dec 24, 2015 | Children, Christmas, Happiness
For the past few weeks, my daughter searches the house in the morning to determine the destination of her Elf on the Shelf. Even though she is on the verge of ten, she grabs her pink blanket, holds it tight and attempts to track down her friend. Once she finds him,... by Rudri | Dec 7, 2015 | Children, Everyday life
“A story is not like a road to follow … it’s more like a house. You go inside and stay there for a while, wandering back and forth and settling where you like and discovering how the room and corridors relate to each other, how the world outside is altered by... by Rudri | Aug 11, 2015 | Children, Life Lessons, Memory, New Beginnings
“How did it get so late so soon?” – Dr. Seuss “I am nervous-excited, Momma. Does that make sense?” These words ambled out of my daughter’s mouth as I drove her to school. Another... 
by Rudri | May 13, 2015 | Children, Mothers/Daughters
It is the last day of school for my daughter today. This afternoon, we become parents of a 4th grader. As I type these lines, small tears start to form in my eyes. I tilt my head backwards to keep them from streaming down my face. Our morning started the same, a call... 
by Rudri | Feb 9, 2015 | Children, Death, Everyday life
A few weeks ago we strolled into a local pizzeria for a family dinner. A muted red carpet, upbeat pictures decorated the walls and every table appeared taken by couples and families. The waitress escorted us to a small table in the back. As I walked through the... 
by Rudri | Jan 8, 2015 | Children, Mothers/Daughters
Nine is here. Today. You sprinted into our room and announced in a voice that echoed as if we were in the middle of mountains, “Today is my birthday.” We sandwiched you with hugs and kissed the fleshy part your cheeks. I did not want to let you go. Hugging...
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too. Read More