Priscila Uppal (1974–2018)

Uppal is an accomplished poet and wordsmith whom I always enjoy reading. Her phrases always awaken my mind’s eye with clear imagery and cause me to ponder her thoughts long after I have read her work. This work is no exception.

http://tinyurl.com/j2t749v

Insightful to read. Insightfully written? Mother and daughter perfectly well-matched. Uncle Fernando (hideous creep) is right on, Priscila. My blood will be running colder for the rest of my life after reading this.

Priscila's mother left when she was eight. Now, nearly 20 years later, Priscila has travelled to Brazil to meet her. What she finds is not a made-for-TV-movie reunion. Ms. Uppal tells the story of her difficult meeting with her mother with honesty and a keen sense of self-awareness. A great read about the meaning of family -- the good and bad aspects.

This should be required reading for all those numbnuts out there who equate “mother” with “saint” or “hero”. Just because you gave birth to someone doesn’t automatically make you a person who makes smart choices. Or make you a good person, at all.