E

...is for Elisabeth. My sweet, silly, passionate, always-on-stage, strong little one. She's such a good sister. She amazes me every day. She is also a force of will. Oh, my. We butt heads much more than I care to admit. But how would I have learned so much about myself and the world and parenting and, oh, everything, without her strong presence?

...is for euphonium. (Or "muphonium," as Elisabeth says.) My husband's first instrument. He also plays trombone and can get around on the trumpet and tuba when he needs to. I have never been really inspired by brass instruments, but over the years of having this man as my life partner, I have learned to appreciate -- and really love -- the mellow, not-quite-as-brassy sound of the euphonium. It is so understated. Like him.