I knew it.

Now, I'm no mother myself, but I'm quite fond of them. It's something I aspire to someday. Still, if my own children ever come my way, I hope they can accept me just the way I am, imperfect and all. Breaking into their finger paints, taking over craft time, and nap time, and stealing fries from their happy meals. So the mother sharing her story on NPR.org -- she's a mother after my own heart.

A tribute

"Contrary to what most people think, it's not defeatist, 'Oh, woe is me,' " says Pulitzer Prize Winner August Wilson about his life's inspiration, the blues. "It's very life-affirming, uplifting music. Because you can sing that song, that's what enables you to survive."