Silhouetted image of a swingset on a beach with a woman in the swing on the right, looking at the empty swing on the left and reaching out her hand.

A Really Good Hurt

Just before she died, my mom and I had a conversation about my childhood and how I did not want anyone to get too close to me, especially to hug me or hold me. I was apparently a squirmy little worm, especially when my Aunty Rossa (always doused in too much perfume and hairspray) would…