I was none too sure about you, Rob, when you sat down for the first day of orientation in Kabul. April, 2004: We were setting up Pajhwok Afghan News, the first independent news agency in Afghanistan. There were 120 staff to whip into shape. We had just two months before we’d be publishing daily content, and only … read more Day 90: Still missing you
Tag: death
Day 83: On the wind
Happy Birthday, Mom. You’d have been 92 today… but I think you don’t mind that you’re not here blowing out candles today. Because now you are an unfettered free spirit, after a lifetime in a conflicted body. For someone born in Monroeville, Ohio in 1923, you did pretty good. You loved music … it’s how you got through … read more Day 83: On the wind
Day 74: Dipping in
I woke up early this morning certain of one thing: I will not live past this year. I will not survive past the age of 56. It was not a panic, nor a vague fear. Just a clear understanding: 56 is it, the final year. There was no image of death in a fiery wreck … read more Day 74: Dipping in
Day 70: Nowhere to go
I’m thirsty. But I can’t drink water, because then I’ll have to urinate. And there’s nowhere nearby to do that. I’m on my period. So I can’t go to school, because there’s no safe bathroom to go and change the pad. I went outside at night to urinate because there’s no toilet in our house. I … read more Day 70: Nowhere to go
Day 64: When I get older
For people of a certain age, the number 64 causes the Beatles song to immediately pop into our heads. When that song came out, 64 seemed like a truly ancient age. And now …. well, “When I’m 64” is less than eight years away from today, Day 64. Only 2,859 days. Not much more than a box of pennies. … read more Day 64: When I get older
Day 60: When looks are fatal
My cousin killed this perfectly innocent spider yesterday because it was scary-looking. Good thing she’s never seen me after a Jeep ride in a hard rain. I felt so bad for that spider. I thought about her all day. She had a bright jaggy-patterned back and striped legs – a beauty, in her own way. But she got zapped with … read more Day 60: When looks are fatal
Day 53: Waiting
I am waiting for Tom to get home. He’s 20 minutes later than he should be, so I assume he is dead. This is how my mind works. A survival technique: Expect the worst, and you will be pleased when it doesn’t happen. If it does happen, you’ll be ready. You might call this worrying, … read more Day 53: Waiting
Day 32: Ticket to ride
I used to think that Cedar Point was a made-up name for the amusement park, and a strange one at that. Really, it doesn’t sound like it would be fun, the way that “Disneyland” did. No: Cedar Point was simply the name of a place, long before it was a company and a destination for … read more Day 32: Ticket to ride