1981: Kathleen is born January 4th, over winter break, shortly after the Falcons lose to the Cowboys in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. My life on this planet free to worry only about myself is over at age 23, the same age my mother was when I was born. Au revoir, Part Three. Hello, Part Four–which I have no idea will last forever. I take a week off from school, drop criminal law, which I will pick up during the summer, and then it’s back to the books. In the mornings, a baby nurse I met at the hospital comes to the house. In the evenings, I study with one foot on the stroller. My mother comes on Mondays, leaving us with a crock pot of dinner–the same crock pot that is still in my kitchen. At the end of my first year, I emerge tied for number 17 and am invited to join the Georgia Law Review. Lady Diana marries Prince Charles. Lionel Richie and Diana Ross sing Endless Love. T is often gone for classes that take place in a different city. Things between us deteriorate. I suggest he drive home each night. Too much trouble, he says. Over Christmas break I find a receipt on a table for a piece of jewelry I didn’t receive.
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That receipt breaks my heart.
I appreciate your words, Tricia. And I’ve thought back, trying to remember if that receipt broke my heart too. I remember picking up the paper. And I think when I understood what it was, my heart, instead of breaking, froze. I felt nothing for a long time.
Oh wow. A baby. And a receipt.
I love that picture. Kathleen is such a little popover of a baby! She looks so happy and healthy, and I love the way you’re sheltering her.
Yes, 1981 was quite a year : )
My heart hurts now. I hope things get better for you in the next post!
Thanks, Terri. It was so long ago–it’s like it happened to another person. Love your last sentence : )
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