My son’s college just announced that this year’s graduation will be held virtually. He texted to let me know so we could cancel our hotel reservation. The reservation we first made over a year ago and then kept changing as the academic calendar was amended due to the pandemic. He is my oldest, and I … Continue reading That Is Grace

My son recently visited my mom before his return to college. Shortly after he left her house my mom began texting me that she was finding tiny hand-written notes everywhere, notes my son had hidden in every room. One of those notes, tucked away inside her makeup case, said simply, “Why are you so beautiful.” … Continue reading A Beautiful Thing To See

I recently converted my children’s old “playroom,” really just a spare upstairs bedroom, into my home office. After sorting and bagging a childhood’s worth of toys, books, dolls and games, I was left with clean white emptiness, a vast fresh canvas on which to create my vision. I purchased a colorful rug to add warmth … Continue reading My Son, The Homemaker

When I used to visit my gastroenterologist as a young woman in my 20s, my doctor, who had probably been in practice more than a half-century at that point, would ask me, “So how do you feel underneath your makeup?” Because he knew. He knew what I now understand. When you live with chronic illness … Continue reading When You Live With Chronic Illness You’re Always Wearing A Mask

I cried when I found out Parents’ Weekend was cancelled this year. I completely understand the rationale behind this difficult decision. Of course a college can’t welcome hundreds of eager parents onto a campus they’ve worked so hard to safeguard for their students well-being. I am fully aware each one of us, simply longing to … Continue reading I’m Sad That There Won’t Be Parents’ Weekend This Year

We have an old dog.  Old as in he sleeps most of the day, has lost a few teeth, struggles to make it up the stairs, and audibly grunts when he changes position. I have not had the pleasure of inhaling that delectable puppy smell in over a decade. And I am reminded of his … Continue reading An Old Dog’s Lessons Amid The Pandemic

I recently viewed an incredible video. Produced by the BBC and part of a nature series entitled Life Story, the short film follows the harrowing descent of a barnacle gosling from its nest high up in the cliffs of eastern Greenland. Barnacle geese build their nests hundreds of feet up to avoid predators such as Arctic … Continue reading My Family’s Leap Of Faith Into The Future

Today I started walking for exercise. Not because I want to lose weight (although it would be nice). Not because my cholesterol is too high (it is). Not because my doctor told me I should (he did). I’m walking because in 10 short months my daughter is leaving for college, and my nest will be … Continue reading I’m Walking To Remember

Today my daughter told me she is grateful for me. To be honest, I think there is nothing more I would rather hear my child say. I know she loves me. I know she cares about me. I know I occasionally make her happy. And hearing any one of these things would surely make my … Continue reading Grateful

My children are 17 and 20. I am (most of the time) fairly content with how they’ve turned out. And I can honestly tell you: I’ve been both a permissive parent and an authoritarian parent. I’ve been their best friend. And they’ve occasionally loathed me. As for lawnmower, helicopter and snowplow? Check, check and check. … Continue reading The Only Title I Ever Wanted