Lucia thinks I'm being mean in the things I'm writing about my mother. I don't think I am -- I certainly don't think I missed out, somehow, on a perfect childhood -- we all have experiences that are unique, and the only unfortunate part about it would be if we never examined that unique experience. Plus an individual viewpoint can make the memory of anything skewed. It's all pretty funny, in a way. I've always thought that being mentally ill, that is, having problems in the very organ you are depending upon to solve the problems, would be the worst -- however I now see that everyone has that same difficulty to a greater or lesser extent.

Lucia was interviewed on NPR, and I missed it. At some point I hope I'll catch up with a tape of it. Go to www.luciaperillo.com for Lucia's groovy blog and other things.