It's your narrative, use it well.

Another lovely Hax perspective on love and life.  In this case, the letter write was having difficulty coming to grips with the ending ambiguity of a relationship.  Blame? Responsibility?  Shortcomings?  (Dis)Honesty? But no, we are mere mortals just trying to get to the end of the day.  Here's what she said.  So wise...

"Here’s the narrative I suggest to replace it: You’re just two people who tried to make your unique combination of strengths, weaknesses, insecurities, histories and hopes fit together — and in the end, they didn’t."

And another great 'toon from Nick...where has he been all my life?

Parenting. Tricky, tricky.

Why I LOVE Carolyn Hax....

"The child's needs have to be paramount--yet no child can be expected to be in complete control of all decisions, because what child is ready for that? Parents have to be in charge -and- leave no fingerprints. Tricky. "

This particular response took place during today's Live Chat on WaPo regarding a young son's declaration of "being a girl inside." Carolyn answered with such a thoughtful and moving sentiment, "I would give him a hug and say I love him, it's going to be okay, we'll figure this out together."  I mean, how simple and profound is this?   

And yet, this, as well as the first tenet can be applied to so often when parenting.  Kids want us to be in charge.  They need us to be in charge.  And yes, their needs are paramount.  But guiding them firmly through to adulthood, and leaving barely a trace of your hand, is such a delicate art.

I'd like to post both of these sentiments someplace I could read them everyday, as I practice the art of mothering my awesome kid.

I [HEART] Nick Galifianakis

Nick Galifianakis is the marvelous, wry illustrator whose work accompanies Carolyn Hax's sage, sound advice everyday in the Washington Post.  He has just published a new book of cartoons, If You Loved Me You'd Think This Was Cute: Uncomfortably True Cartoons About You.

I'm not laughing at me, I'm laughing with me.... 

I [HEART] Carolyn Hax (on casual dating)

Carolyn Hax is so wise....I really enjoyed this particular column because of the way the writer expressed his feelings about his girlfriend (fair enough, and quite clear); the way Hax talked about how to navigate that line and the premise it's built upon; and because I'm casually dating (or trying to anyway).

Some excerpts are below....and the full link to the column ("He's not that into her; how clear should he make that?") is here.

Dear Carolyn:  I am having fun with my girlfriend but am well aware she's not marriage material for me. She says she is fine with dating casually for now. I know girls sometimes say this and don't mean it, so what's my responsibility here? To keep reminding her that it's not headed anywhere? That seems like such a buzzkill.  Anonymous

Why is she good enough to date but not good enough to marry?  Carolyn:

She's just . . .

I [HEART] Carolyn Hax

Another favorite columnist - this one from the Washington Post - Carolyn Hax is an advice columnist for Real Life.  Here is today's column on marriage - it's the counterargument to the marriage cynic, without being all rosy about it.