Story Snippet: One Pink Star.

We don't have many Christmas decorations; Oliver has already been knocking down our lights-only faux tree. But I was at Target and spotted something magical for $3: a large, three-dimensional, pink glitter star. It now hangs from the review mirror in my car. Oliver regards it with wonder as "Mama's star" or "Mama's sparky star."

Tiny details can make such a difference. I learned that in part from Alexandra Stoddard (read Living a Beautiful Life!). I have a flowing purple hearts and glitter phone case. Mom recently bought her own phone case with roses on it, and she ordered a case for her friend. Attention to detail plus generosity!

The star reminds me that beauty and magical emerge for those who seek them or create them.

Story Snippet: Warm Water.

A couple of years ago, I was insane (maybe literally) about swimming. I sometimes went to the pool twice a day. So when Dad and Michelle got some kind of boat subscription and invited us to along, my first question was, "Can we swim?"

Oliver loved the wind. He called, "Full steam ahead!" He wore a little life vest.

Dad had said that the lake felt like bathwater. It did! We all swam. I treaded water for an hour. I remember Michelle wore an adorable swimsuit--a red one-piece with a flutter of skirt. Josh video taped Dad dropping Oliver from the boat into the lake. Oliver went under and then popped right up and swam to Michelle. Then, he swam back to the boat and climbed in with no help.

I loved all the space to move my limbs. I felt strong and free. My body and I were on the same team. Everything calmed down in my head and heart.

Story Snippet: Masquerade.

Oliver and I were picking Josh up from work, and I had the Phantom soundtrack playing. Oliver usually listens quietly to music in the car. Josh opened the door and said hi to Oliver. Oliver answered, "Mackerade!"

Such a moment of joy! I felt that I was doing something right. He will know the joy of musical theatre. That's something I can give him. I want to give him the coping strategies I've learned and the joys that can penetrate darkness.

Story Snippet: A Lipstick and a Journal.

I breezed into Ulta, a bright and happy place to be. This may have been last October. I had the money (for that moment) to buy a lipstick I'd been wanting: Urban Decay's Lovelight. It was a lovely, shimmering pink.

As I walked to checkout, I noticed a pink display with a stack of journals. I picked one up soft, hot pink, and engraved with Beauty Notes. $5!

When I was in line, I looked down at one lipstick and one journal. That seemed to sum me up pretty well.

Story Snippet: The Little Thief.

I have a confession to make. When I lived with my parents, I stole from them.

I stole books from my mother and music and movies from my father. Much of the spoils went back to their rightful owners when I moved out. But I still have Mom's purple Little Women and Dad's Goo Goo Dolls Dizzy up the Girl and Bladerunner.

Of course, they shared these worlds with me pretty freely, but I wanted the objects on the shelf in my closet. It's a need e-books (though I now love them) and music files can't fulfill.

The more I think about it, the more grateful I am to my parents for opening these worlds that often make life worth living.