The Many and the Few

The sign outside the church read: “What is more powerful than God’s word?”

And to me, the answer is simple:

His actions.

He Was

He had curly blonde hair, just like my son.

He had to put the quarters in the jukebox, just like my son would have.

He took in every sight, touching those within reach at the table, just like my son.

He was out to eat with one parent and two grandparents, just like my son.

He looked full of curiosity and wonder and contentment, just like my son.

He was like my son, except, my son isn’t here.

Lactate

While shopping before the holiday in December, looking at parenting books at the bookshop, I saw this boy–small boy–and he crying, or whining really, and my heart began to ache. I mean, I ache so instinctively like a when a mother hears another crying child and she begins to lactate. My soul responds just so, like a physiological recoil.

And it’s only this analogy that works because of its maternal implications–why do we understand mothers more than fathers–for there is not a parallel for paternal response.

Notice to Landlords and Employers

Notice

Originally uploaded by fismeansfish

What’s in a Name?

The Fis phenomenon.