Alabaster Mom

I've been thinking about my mom a lot lately. I miss her so. Kristi Noem's recent firing (er, re-assignment to a make-believe job) would have delighted her to no end, and I could imagine she would have called me with glee in her voice. Trump's ascension to the highest office in the land (twice!) filled my mother with rage and she had plenty to say about it. In particular, my mom had no tolerance for anyone who takes advantage of or attempts to oppress "the little guy." She cared about people and wanted to help them when she could. Examples from her life are abundant. She and my stad did their best to be a steady presence for a troubled young man named Christian. My mom made a prom dress for a young woman who lived down the street in their tiny Oklahoma town. If anyone came to her door selling something or asking for help, my mom never hesitated. When they lived in Springfield, Virginia, a woman who resided in the nearby subsidized housing knocked on the door of my...