One of my sons called me last week – on his way home from work. We had a nice, substantive, fifteen-minute conversation. This is pretty much what we do now that he is married, a father, has a job with big responsibilities and a long daily commute. The next night my phone rang. I glanced at Continue reading
motherhood
Ten Ways to Stay Happily Married
After the wedding bells stop chiming, how do you sustain the marital magic? After 39 years of being married to the same man, I’ve got a few ideas on keeping the spark burning and the affection flowing toward – not away from – each other. 1. When you get home at night, greet each other Continue reading
What It Took Me 68 Years To Do: Riding the Rails All By Myself
I am not a native New Yorker. In fact, I have never even lived in “The City” for any extended amount of time, though I visit often. I hear horror stories centering on confusion about what bus goes where, the need for exact change in quarters and the intricacy of figuring out bus schedules. So, Continue reading
Laboring to Shatter Entitlement Mind-Set
It’s flu season and the lack of available vaccines is raising concerns, especially among the elderly and those people in the category of “high risk.” Influenza is not joke, but there is another bug flitting around that is just as insidious to our well being. Affluenza – the term grabs my attention as soon as Continue reading
When the Nest Empties, Break-Out Too
In my car, the back seats are empty. In my house, all the beds are neatly made. The pantry shelves no longer hold bags of chips or containers of salsa and the cartons of soda pop stacked up in the garage remain unopened. Summer is sputtering to a close. It’s almost September and all across Continue reading
The Exhausting Saga of Trying to Remain Relevant in my Adult Sons’ Lives
Ok, no surprise. I have had a tough time letting my sons venture out on their own. Though that certainly never stopped them. Again, no surprise. I am also prone to negative ruminations over the fact that my sons – now flown and grown – seem to need me so little. And to go even Continue reading
What Mothers-in-law Want Their Daughters-in-law to Know
Ever read any books on how to be the best mother-in-law possible? There is one rule repeated in every single chapter: Keep Your Mouth Shut. I asked a good friend about the Keep Your Mouth Shut rule. She looked at me in disbelief. As if, how could I possibly not know that? “Listen,” she entreated earnestly, “Compliment their parenting Continue reading
