There are many times in our lives when we are faced with situations that, depending on our perspective, can be challenges or can be opportunities.
Read MoreI met my grandkids for the first time last week. A long story, but with a decidedly happy ending.
Read MoreIt's one of the paramount fears of childhood that we will lose our parents one day.
Read MoreTime lapsed in spurts. Each event had a beginning and an end. The middle could be completely inconsequential... the concepts of mindfulness or being present not even blips on my youthful radar.
Read MoreI am standing at the altar the night before my wedding day. This is the practice run, when we all go through the motions, like actors rehearsing a dramatic play.
Read MoreWho am I? ...Some days, my family role is crystal clear, and some days – not so much.
Read MoreI think we all have some kind of baggage from our childhood; some more than others.
Read MoreA few years ago, a strange lady inhabited my mom’s body. She moved in around the time we began discussing the possibility of Mom...
Read MoreMonths of questionable activities on Mom’s part suddenly make perfect sense, and I am terrified.
Read MoreCaring for Dad and explaining what had happened to well-meaning friends and family required hope and a positive attitude—traits my mother never possessed.
Read MoreLate one night in mid December, I stood in the check-out line at a Target store to purchase several children's toys for a holiday fundraiser. The line was moving slowly, and the people ahead of me were grumbling...
Read MoreLogistically, I’m the reasonable choice. My brother lives 2000 miles away in Florida and my sister is about 4 towns north of me. I live the closest to Mom, therefore, I should take care of her. Proximity is the primary caretaking factor. Period. End of story. Right?
Read MoreThe mother I have today, is not the mother I had growing up. In fact, there’s very little about today’s Mom that looks like the, say, 1958-1981 version.
Read MoreUltimately, I don’t believe my post-Mom memory will be the young 55-72 version. And if she lives to be 100+ (entirely possible), she’ll certainly look old when she dies, but her face is not what I’ll remember most.
Read MoreIt was frustrating to speak with my mom, age 75, on the phone and have her regurgitate my dad's diluted version of what a doctor said. "Mom, you have to be there with him for all of his doctor appointments!"
Read MoreEnjoying retirement is visible, but not yet tangible. We’ve stalled in a place called Limbo... a state that’s full of unanswered questions and what-ifs. It’s a stage where our future, literally, depends on the lives of other people.
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Mary’s social behavior is exemplary (no swear words or scowls), and she uses her melodic “inside voice” at all times – even when an outside voice would be perfectly acceptable. She guides students at school, and teaches CCD on weekends. Mary is... an angel.
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Maybe carpools and playdates (“stay-dates,” “grey-dates"?) are just the tip of the iceberg. Such a simple concept that’s been around since the beginning of time...combining hunters with gatherers... teamwork.
Read MoreWhen do you start putting the reality next to the fantasy about how long you’ll live? What happens when everything’s checked off your bucket list? Do you make a new one? Throw in the towel and say good-night? Eternally?
Read MoreIt’s very funny when my 91 year old mother fumes with frustration at me and, in heated seriousness, snaps “FECK OFF.” When it happened.....
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