I had to take several runs at this New Year's resolution. Create a Website has crouched at the top of my list for a couple of years, maybe more. Every January, I stare it down, feel my toes grow cold, and promptly cage the beast along with a deep pile of excuses. Too scary, too complicated. Maybe next year. This week, my 23-year-old reminded me that I had requested his web-savvy assistance (yet again) while he was home for the holidays. Was I going to take advantage of his help while he had time, or leave my website idea until the last minute? A strategy straight out of my own parenting playbook – though phrased with more patience than I ever mustered.

Two days after January 1, we sat down and got to business. And now, as I watch him head for the door and across the country, I try to remember the ease with which he clicked his way through the construction process. Comfortable, confident, unafraid. Maybe I can learn to be like that, too.

Thank you to writing friends who helped me set this website in motion: JoAnn Dionne for pointing me to the welcoming world of SquareSpace; Rea Tarvydas for notes from the Internet trenches. And to my son for the nudge. Couldn’t have done it without you, kiddo.