One day I hope to introduce you to a delightful woman named Fern. Along with being eager to meet you, she's an absolute treasure to humanity, and I want nothing more than to fill your life with kindness. In Japanese culture ferns exemplify family and hope for the
I could feel the heat of the day starting a pool at the base of my curls. I ignored the drip down my neck as I picked up speed to the lab. If I walked briskly, I could get there in seven minutes. On a day like today, I needed
Today is my 11th anniversary as an employee of AMBUCS. I love that I've spent the last decade helping kids like you. Your mom is a nonprofit nerd who had (and still has) a big heart for higher education. My dream was to earn my PhD and rise
This might come as a shock to you, but I don't always mind my business when it comes to you and your peers. Recently, a young man bolted in my direction. As he got closer, I noticed he was harnessed with handles fixed to his chest and back.
You said "Mama" twice today. There is one word from one mouth that has the power to drop me to my knees and wait for command. It's a word that rivals the angels' song and turns clamor into the smoothest whiskey. The most treacherous river
Figures of speech don't usually resinate with me. But tonight, I fully understand what it means to have a stomach in knots. Whoever coined the phrase must've had children. I've had some pretty extreme anxiety in my own life, but nothing compares to the
"I grieved." Today, I was asked how I reacted when you were diagnosed. I suspected you are neurodivergent LONG before your diagnosis. You have level 3 regressive autism, so at 14-months, the switch flipped. At first, I wondered if you were going through a growth spurt because of
The cabernet calls me from the kitchen, but I'm trying to focus on tonight's singular agenda: work until I fall asleep. You, me and Lenovo share the sheets more nights than I'd care to admit. That's right, you've been three-years-old
We're in Room 107 of the Cookeville Hampton Inn in Cookeville, Tennessee. Frankly, our coexistence has seen better days as we compete for real estate on the lumpy queen bed we're sharing. My body jostles as you jump, flap, jump, flap, scoot, rut, flap, flap, flap.
I've been hurting a lot lately. Like, A LOT. My lower back is aching. My hips are throbbing. My thighs are burning. I wish I could say it's because of rigorous exercise, but in all actuality, my current weight isn't exactly helping the situation.
This concept came to life because there are so many things I want to say to you, but you're not ready to understand most of it. And no, it isn't because you're autistic; it's because you're three (in two weeks)
This is Love Letters to My Daughter, a brand new site by Jessica Wall that's just getting started. Things will be up and running here shortly, but you can subscribe in the meantime if you'd like to stay up to date and receive emails when new