Rebecca Handler

Rebecca Handler on Exploring Alternate Narrative Paths

Literary Hub, March 11, 2021

Don’t sing “You Are My Sunshine” to your father on his deathbed. Trust me, looking back now, it was a poor choice. I just didn’t consider how ubiquitous it is; in fact, yesterday, a group of preschool children were singing it right outside my office window. On their way to the park in single file, wearing fluorescent orange vests over their t-shirts and overalls, holding onto a rope, they sang, “You make me happy when skies are grey.” I resisted the urge to call out the window, “My dad died to that song. Have fun on the slide!”