Catherine Gigante-Brown

BCBs are loud and proud and refuse to go down easy. And quietly. We have things to say. We have things to teach. We still have life to live. And damn it, we are and we will. With one breast. With no breasts. With reconstruction surgery.

Why do we venerate individuality in adults but condemn it in children?

Mindel and Maria were young teenagers when the horrors occurred—but they remembered the tiniest details with crystal-clear intensity.

I’m a firm believer that Tiny Kindnesses can change the world, one sweet, loving gesture at a time.

“It’s almost as though this niche was patiently waiting for us to find it.”

I sat obediently in her chair atop four ancient copies of the Yellow Pages. Crossing my fingers, I prayed Catholic schoolgirl prayers.

You learn a lot about people when you live in their home. The Taylors seemed to lead a joyless, Spartan existence.

I saw my present mother-in-law in a whole new light the first time she held my newborn son.

Like if she steals from you — cash or a boyfriend. Or does something illegal she wants you to be a part of — or lie about. I draw the line at felonies (sometimes even misdemeanors) and you probably should, too.

To the tattoo artist, I was a flesh canvas that she could transform into something beautiful.