Dear Scarlett,
On Sunday, the New York Times published an essay that I wrote about what it's like to be your Mom and to have ALS. For about two days, I felt like I was going to throw up whenever I thought about sharing our experience so widely. Every time there was a new comment on the piece, I got nervous. Would they be kind? Would they understand?
I'm happy to say that the comments turned out to be very interesting and respectful. I'm feeling much calmer about the whole thing, and I'm glad that I was able to further my--our--goal of raising awareness about ALS. And, as always, it's fun to write about you.
We've been having a lot of fun this month. You decorated gingerbread houses with some friends from school, which really means that you ate a bunch of candy that was intended for the house, and then went on an insane spree of dumping out all of your toy bins and running up and down the hall like a wild animal, only to collapse in a heap when it was time to clean up.
We joined another friend from school and her mom for a dance performance of The Velveteen Rabbit. You loved the first act, but by the second act, you decided you would rather roll on the floor behind our seats than pay attention to the stage. Is there a theme here? It's possible you're too young for some of these activities. But I still had a good time.
Your entire preschool class seems to be overly focused on superheroes this year. Dad and I are trying to get you to stop pointing at us and yelling "BAD GUY!" when you don't get what you want. You also informed me the other day for no reason that you were going to punch me in the face. I sent you to your room, and you marched off, announcing that I was no longer your friend AND I wasn't getting any Christmas presents. Later, we snuggled on the couch and read books.
You are very into Italian music and cartoons lately. Pimpa is a new favorite, and you love to sing and dance to Gira Gira Tondo. Today Aunt Shishie went with you to school for Grandparents and Special Friends Day. She got to do an art project with you, and when it was time to go, you didn't want her to leave. So she told you that you could have a sleepover at her house this week. Way to work the angle, sweetheart. I guess Shishie is the good guy today.
Love you,
Mom
