A Bicycle Built for Three

It is nearly the end of Black History Month, a time of year that takes on a different meaning for me now. Last year I became aware of the need to celebrate Black excellence in and of itself versus constantly viewing Black history as simply overcoming adversity. This year I've tried to reflect even more on how to make this real and meaningful for Little Man as he gets older. I was especially inspired by the new and unexpected celebrations I saw. Black hairstyles, for instance, were highlighted by Sesame Street as well as by the artwork of author/illustrator/filmmaker Vashti Harrison and others. An inaugural Black Children's Book Week, founded by @BlackBabyBooks, is designed to promote books and authors. Art, music, food -- there are so many ways to celebrate history while embracing cultural pride, and we are continuing to consider how to bring all of that to life for Little Man. That's not to say that we need to gloss over the bad and overemphasize the good for him -- to do ...

Little Man spiked a fever at daycare two days ago. It was high enough for us to call the doctor and get an appointment for the next day. That night we got the news that it was Covid.  It is thankfully a mild case, and Husband and I are showing no symptoms...except, I suppose, of anger and sadness. We have been so careful. We've done everything we could to keep ourselves and our beautiful boy safe, but we couldn't -- or rather, our efforts were not enough compared to so many who are living as if all is normal. I've heard so many people say that we can't live in a bubble forever, that life must go on. However, life doesn't just go on for those who are carrying the burden of trying to make this finally be gone. To those who tell us, "Thankfully it's not serious!" -- yes, we agree. Getting to say that, though, is a privilege wrapped in survivor bias. Just because it isn't bad doesn't mean it couldn't have been. At night we panic when he goes to...