the vanished fairy

My daughter lost a tooth after discovering that Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy are cultural fabrications. “I know about it mama,” she said while brushing her remaining teeth this evening, “but maybe she’ll still give me a letter.” This is what the vanished fairy placed under her still too-small bed.

on advice

The advice you hear is never, not ever, for you. It’s meant for the speaker imagining herself in your situation.

on control

In every relationship you have a control lever. It’ll have no leverage whatsoever on the other person, but will control the distance between them and you.

on sovereignty

You can be comfortable. You can be free. It’s very rare that you’ll be both at the same time.