I didn’t know I wasn’t given a history until I had my own children

“You have to pick the places you don't walk away from.”― Joan Didion

In the fall of 2021, the vaccine passport became commonplace for most public spaces and I saw my brother for the first and last time since the pandemic began. It was also the peak of my debilitating anxiety about contracting COVID-19 while pregnant, an anxiety that proffered me a preventative leave from work and a gratuity—a scholarship to attend a Life Writing workshop. During this time the CBC (Canadian Broadcast Corporation) announced its annual writing residency for emerging writers; a chance to be a CBC Featured Columnist. The workshop was my permission slip despite other responsibilities. I gave up essential house fixes for 600 words.

I still don't know how to build shelves out of paragraphs.