My three-year-old decided that Monday was her birthday. I don’t know why. Her actual birthday is on July 30, but somehow it just became her story and she stuck to it. There were goldfish crackers and juice boxes, a sprinkler on full blast, and her big sister DJ-ing in footie pajamas. Our neighbors brought over streamers and a birthday hat that they had buried in some kitchen cabinet, as one does. There was a cake made out of play-dough and a real candle that each kid got a chance to blow out after having “Happy Birthday” sung to them (in the end, she decided if it could be her birthday, it could be anyone’s birthday in our little co-housing pod). There were skinned knees, a few tears, and lots of weird, pantless toddler dancing. Somehow, our Tortoiseshell cat ended up getting painted with streaks of purple and orange.
Dearest Courtney, this is surely one of your most inspiring narratives, coming at a moment when such inspiration is desperately needed. At over 80, among your oldest admiring readers, I'm increasingly proud to have been your teacher. You are surely at your best when faced with crises, as you were when we faced a tragic series of student suicides during our time together at Barnard. Now you bring not only your brilliant insight to a critical situation but your whole family's engagement. The collective commitment to this cause is awesome. Congratulations on this continuing activism.
Finally, thank you for leading me to Lauren Sandler's "This Is All I Got." It's a heart wrenching, eloquent testimony to another urgent problem, that of homelessness in NYC, a place that we both know well. As we protest the scourge of racism, we must at the same time keep our devastating epidemic of poverty in full view. Sandler's book renders this problem inescapable. Dennis Dalton (DD)
Your brilliant gift for expressing what lies in my heart, mind, and soul so beautifully is greatly appreciated. Thank you for stepping out there and saying what needs to be said. Much love to you and your family.
Beautiful. A beacon of inspiration when I really needed one. Thank you. xo
Dearest Courtney, this is surely one of your most inspiring narratives, coming at a moment when such inspiration is desperately needed. At over 80, among your oldest admiring readers, I'm increasingly proud to have been your teacher. You are surely at your best when faced with crises, as you were when we faced a tragic series of student suicides during our time together at Barnard. Now you bring not only your brilliant insight to a critical situation but your whole family's engagement. The collective commitment to this cause is awesome. Congratulations on this continuing activism.
Finally, thank you for leading me to Lauren Sandler's "This Is All I Got." It's a heart wrenching, eloquent testimony to another urgent problem, that of homelessness in NYC, a place that we both know well. As we protest the scourge of racism, we must at the same time keep our devastating epidemic of poverty in full view. Sandler's book renders this problem inescapable. Dennis Dalton (DD)
This is incredible. Thank you for saying exactly what I needed to hear when I needed to hear it.
NEW STORY🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
i'm in
At some point, the old stories just don't hold any longer. Thank you for showing us what it means to be open to a new story...and writing it.
Thank you. Just thank you. At nearly 70, I resonate with you and it raises my spirits.
Your brilliant gift for expressing what lies in my heart, mind, and soul so beautifully is greatly appreciated. Thank you for stepping out there and saying what needs to be said. Much love to you and your family.