Author Archives: janishaag

Every day the grandpa erects a castlefor his grandson who spends weekdayswith his grandparents at the home where his mama grew up, the grandpaknowing that his grandson will beholdthe intricate blocks-and-Lego structure for perhaps all of three seconds beforehe King … Continue reading →

(for Kevin and Ashley Just) And just like that the houseof the Haags becomesthe house of the Justs, the next generation ofJusts with the signing oflegal documents and thumbprints affixedand notarized. And aJust who was once a Haag passes the … Continue reading →

Breathe, darling,This is just a chapter.It’s not our whole story.—S.C. Lourie And given that it’s just a chapter,you are free to close the bookof you for a bit, take a break for now to,yes, breathe. And while you’reinhaling and exhaling, … Continue reading →

As we take apart their house,we wish for the single object thatencapsulates their lives to carry with usinto ours, one that sums up the story,settles the score, calls it a day. We have candidates—Dad’s ski boatthat pulled his three girls … Continue reading →

(for Sandra) I felt all the love of the universeenvelop me, the beloved,by the beloved, all the beloveds here and gonesurrounding us in that embraceof one who blesses others with generosity of spirit,with lovingkindness, and, in sharingthat with me, replenishing … Continue reading →

Gene [Hackman] told me he only needed four instructionsfrom directors. Louder. Softer. Faster. Slower.—Dan Ackroyd, Feb. 27, 2025 ••• When you think about it, they’re among the bestdirections anyone can give—and sure, now you’re thinking about sex, and sure,they work … Continue reading →

(for Lauren Just Giel) Our mother’s drawers and cupboards,every one an archeological dig— the farther in we go, the deepthe dive into decades past. Her pristine, unfolded nurse’scaps lie ready for the job she quit just before I was born. … Continue reading →

The pale pink ones by the garage, the bushdeeply pruned by the next generationwho will soon call your house home. Instead of the great haystack of shubbery,it is now an artful bit of sculpture,its perfect blossoms gazing west into late … Continue reading →

(for Barbara in Lane #2) I am the visiting one who has flown inand landed with a gentle whoosh in this five-lane pond, one whosome might perceive as an interloper, one who might need to be chasedoff by other floating … Continue reading →

As the murky horizon gives wayto a watercolor sky out the windshield,me riding shotgun, Terri wheeling usinto what’s become her spot inthe empty parking lot. We might have the big pool all toourselves this morning, Terri says,for our 45-minute 6 … Continue reading →