For my father’s birthday, the whole family gathers at my parents’ house. Before we sit down to dinner, my mother arrives with presents for everyone. Cheerful blue wrapping paper with balloons on it. “An emergency radio!” My brother has already unpacked his and is turning the knob. A rock song blares from the small radio. While I hold the antenna to prevent it from cracking, my mother and brother dance around the room together. “Well,” says my brother’s girlfriend, as she stares at the cheerful wrapping paper, “that’s how we’ll get through the war!”
Readers are the authors of this column. An Ije is a personal experience or anecdote in a maximum of 120 words. Submit via [email protected]
