September 11, 2008

Thinking back

Seven years ago I was trying to figure out if my dad was safe. He was set to fly home from a business trip in Boston. News was spreading slowly through my high school and I knew I had to know for sure.

My mom had started a new job a week or two before and I didn’t know her phone number but somehow, that morning my fingers dialed what they needed to dial to give me piece of mind. My subconscious grabbed onto some business card I saw in passing to give me a small victory to make that morning a little less terrifying.

We certainly weren’t in the middle of it all, but not having my dad home safe made it hit just that much closer to home. My mom spent the next few days at work making sure that passengers on diverted flights would have the shelter and supplies they needed until they could return home to their loved ones.

We ate dinner in stunned silence on the back deck with friends visiting from Europe just trying to make sense of it all.

{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }

Ben April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

Oh god….that’d be like reading Chicken Soup for Sad Puppies.

WHY WOULD YOU TAKE THAT OUT?

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Kez April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

Haha nice manouvre!
OMG I’ve been reading Chicken Soup For the Adopted Soul…
that sh*t makes you cry.
Why did I get it out of the library? I do not know.
I’m adopted but that’s no reason to be a corny mofo!

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Summer April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

Deflect? That’s what nice people do, right?
I usually get on my soapbox and spew leftist noncomformist awesomeness.

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Mermanda April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

I’m rubber and you’re glue.

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Bleutrumpet April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

Lol, wow.
They don’t need to know your business anyway ;-)

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Elizabeth April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

Deflecting is always good. I’m pretty sure that is why I have siblings–sure, I may have gotten myself in hot water, but hey! Did you hear about what HE did?

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Thrice April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

Adopting must be difficult, well, getting chosen as parents (according to Monica and Chandler) :P
There are a lot of babies whose parents suck in the third world..you can be like Brangelina!
Or, if you don’t think changing diapers will be awesome, you can adopt a grown up baby, with green eyes and brown hair, a bit chubby but sweet as hell, bilingual and with an Italian name. :D How about that?

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ÄsK AliCë April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

Deflection is the best way.

I get asked by random strangers (mostly cab drivers) why I’m not married yet. It’s awkward.

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Heather Rose April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

I’m just totally rude with the whole, “How long have y’all been married? Any babies yet?” thing.

It enrages me.

None of your business!

I need to learn to deflect.

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Kellie April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

I need to know some deflection tips. Everyone and their dog is asking us when we’re going to get knocked up. When is it anyone else’s business?!?!

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Joy @ Big Time Fancy April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

I’m with Maxie. If I get pregnant, you can have it.

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cavy April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

deflection is the best way. nice work.

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EF April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

We use the “what in the name…was Beyonce wearing at….” escape strategy from tricky questions. It’s safe, reliable and highly debatable. Perfect to deflect.

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Dolce April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

smart, smart move.

Deflecting is my way of life.

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Lindsay April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

I love a good deflection. It always comes in handy.

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Dwight Supremacy April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

I’m the perpetually single friend, so I say tell me to mind my own business. Heheh.

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surviving myself April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

Anyone in a serious relationship must learn the art of deflection. It’s necessary for survival.

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Just A Girl April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

You’re definitely younger than I am. And not a woman. So just imagine how everyone is all on my ass…”So when are you going to have a baby?” To which I respond, “Well, Mom, I thought I’d try to find a husband first. Maybe a boyfriend.”

I think I’ll learn from you. Next time, I’ll say, “So mom, how’s YOUR sex life?” Creepy but I’m pretty sure she’d drop it.

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Jane April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

Wow! I love how you stealthily snuck the “we’re thinking about thinking about adoption” into your blog. (Congrats!)

I’m a big fan of deflecting, though.

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Racquel Valencia April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

Adopting is expensive. This is why I plan on stealing kids when the nesting urge strikes.

And after watching the wee Slumdog stars being interviewed on the red carpet last night, three of them may very well be small Indian children.

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f.B April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

I like Narm’s duck and weave. But I’d stick and move.

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Kristen April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

Hahahahahah!!! I love Maxie.

I’d give you my baby but I’ve become rawther attached to the little bugger.

I’ll lend you my uterus though. I’ll have some space for rent soon.

And yes. Deflecting is always the best option.

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RecoveringActor April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

I always deflect. I’m in the ring shopping category, or rather the “why are you engaged yet?” category. To which I usually respond with, “so and so, you’ve been married for a while… when are you having babies?”

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Marie April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

Deflect as much as possible. Usually right back at the person who asked you.

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Maxie April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

If I ever get pregnant you can have my baby.

I’m not sure what quality it will be… but i mean it will probably have 10 fingers and 10 toes.

probably.

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Belle Ecrivaine April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

You’ve almost managed to even deflect the topic by directly blogging about it, too! That takes talent, kid. You’ll be a great parent when the time comes, I’m sure.

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Kyla Bea April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

lol Deflection is a good thing.

So wait – you’re actually serious about adoption being something to look into shortly? How far into your future is this, do you guys think?

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Narm April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

Duck and weave, duck and weave.

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Andy April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

Deflection, much??

Anyway, you’re like, very young. You have every right.

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SoMi's Nilsa April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

I’m all for deflecting … back to the person who asked the question. No?

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Deutlich April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

Yes yes. Deflect.

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Essentially Me April 26, 2010 at 4:30 pm

Deflection is what it’s all about. Good call.

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