dona's 365

I met Tillie Olsen at an intimate reception after she spoke at AU in 1999. When I told her that her story I Stand Here Ironing helped me raise my daughter more than any professional advice could, she took my hand and said, “You must write a story about that.”

When blond, beautiful Julia came to visit the US from England she liked it so much she overstayed her visa. We became roommates and ceased to be friends. I blamed her consistent reluctance to clean up after herself; she blamed my insistence that she pay her part of the rent.

Red haired, chubby baby body; laughing Marie was adopted by the family across the street. Not yet a year old she caught the flu. Back then, doctors prescribed aspirin to infants. Marie’s mom called my dad from the hospital and said, "Marie’s not coming home. Please take the crib away." Note : Marie is the baby with her hands in the air.