When you lose someone by Alzheimer’s, you lose her progressively. Both you and the one you love experience shades of death. Continue reading Shades of death: When you lose a loved one to Alzheimer’s disease
I had missed the birth of my first grandchild, and I was determined to be as present as possible for … Continue reading A grandmother is born — again
I returned to work after Hurricane Irma feeling a bit worse for wear but was humbled by hearing the experiences … Continue reading Hurricane Irma and the hours without power
Parenting is a full-contact sport, a risky business, an often thankless task, and my greatest joy and still-in-progress accomplishment. Continue reading My baby turns 21 today
She will miss wrinkles and arthritis, her daughters marrying, her grandchildren growing, and getting old with her husband. And we will all miss her. Continue reading As a result of her death, the missing begins
Had he lived, he would have celebrated his 50th birthday this year. As of today, he has been dead more days than he’d been alive. Continue reading It’s official: His death was a lifetime ago
My friend’s husband was in the midst of an ugly political race. To encourage her, I shared my son’s perspective: Delight in opposition. Continue reading Delight in the opposition…
I couldn’t help but feel sorry with him for the years he had wasted. And recognize my own years wasted on insecurities, when I might have simply chosen a different frame. Continue reading A matter of perspective…
Ah, the 4th of July, when you celebrate in hot, buggy humidity along with everyone else and their brother’s vehicle on the road. Yay. Or bah humbug. Continue reading The Scrooge of summer…
I was content with an “out of sight, out of mind” relationship with my brother — until he broke his neck. Continue reading He is my brother still…
What kind of person can leave behind a tampon in a shower? Did it fall out, unnoticed? (Not bloody likely.) Continue reading Was this an unredeemable moment?
In years past, I hustled to Walgreens on Thanksgiving morning with the sole purpose of buying a local newspaper — … Continue reading Black Friday matters…
Am I the only one on American soil who isn’t thankful for Thanksgiving? The turkey cooks my goose every year as … Continue reading Turkey trauma: Me, myself and my memories…
When you have lived in one house for years and years, you don’t need much in the way of furniture. … Continue reading When furniture shows your age…
I always wanted twins until I got four children at one time. When I was young, I played with my … Continue reading The end of the twin era…
As I was entering my daughter’s new-to-her minivan yesterday, I noticed something. “Ah! It has a sunroof,” I stated. It … Continue reading How our Mitsubishi van became blue…
I have spent the weekend denuding a room. I emptied the room of all its contents minus the large furniture … Continue reading When you replace people with possessions…
I had carefully planned and shopped and done everything in my power to avoid shopping on Christmas Eve. When our … Continue reading Once an English teacher, always an English teacher…
