Status Updates From The Best American Essays 2025

Just began an essay about a woman’s life outside the Philippines. I just finished her reference to Edward Said who states that in exile our old habits and traditions mix. The author sees this similarity with moving countries, and I can relate to this by my move to Kansas. We keep traditions that we had in New York alive in Kansas. I wonder if we will take traditions from Kansas back to New York?

Just finished “Man Crossing and Ice Field” by Laura Glen Louis. What a trip. Given what is going on in my life, it gives me a profound clarity. I cannot predict the future, and despite my best efforts, I can become a burden to the people whom I love most. I think selfishly, I would want my family to take care of me if I were sick, but would it not be better for them to not let me weigh them down?