Ben East Books

Tag: parenting

  • Captain’s Blog…

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    Ben East
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    Raw eggs hurtle toward earth. Our lunar descent vehicles promise soft landings. Of course, we lose a few  good eggs along the way. Big Red Dan was the first to go. Never even made it out of the living room. One short drop from shoulder height in his 12-straw craft, plus inner capsule, pushed his insides…

  • Winning

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    Ben East
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    The family sports teams are: sons v dad. Two on one. We compete in soccer, kickball, football. I make the rules. The boys don’t know all the rules. I design the rules to keep the action going, the ball in play, the competition fierce. Among the rules known to the boys: In soccer, no boundaries.…

  • Easter Egg Hunting

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    Ben East
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    I miss the thick green grass of Virginia’s Spring. I’m grateful for the patch of green I have, here in the middle of this concrete megacity, but I miss the wide open lawn where we gathered to hit baseballs every spring and summer. Oval-shaped, canopied in deep shade by a dozen oaks at the edges,…

  • Hold My Hand

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    Ben East
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    We barely walk together anymore. The limited times we venture out, now, the barren streets pose no threat. And anyway, you have long since been “too old” for my protection. Still, you reached for my hand. Hand-in-hand we moved along the sidewalk. In whatever chaotic place, in Mumbai, Washington, Mexico City, across whatever peaceful pasture…

  • No Joking, Dum-Dum

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    Ben East
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    This morning I received the bad news in the form of an email signed, “Sincerely Yours, Dum-Dums.” The disappointment? Dum-Dums lollipops Save Wraps Program is coming to an end! Now, I’m no distinguished and orderly candy wrapper saver (I’m no distinguished or organized anything), but the message did send my already quarantined spirits spiraling ever…

  • Fly America… Call the Philippines

    Fly America… Call the Philippines

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    Ben East
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    When your official government travel orders authorize advanced seating to guarantee a seat beside your child during an international move—old home packed, new home empty… …but the airline won’t confirm your seat more than 23 hours before you fly… …and you spend hours on the phone… …talking to the travel agent… …and talking to the…

  • A Note Is Worth a Thousand Words

    A Note Is Worth a Thousand Words

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    Ben East
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    A reflection for Mothers Day. Friday morning I made French toast before catching a train to work. The loaf wasn’t finished, but it was time to make more bread. I remember as a kid coming downstairs in the morning to find notes on the kitchen table. These were friendly greetings, chatty in mood but pithy…