Category: Relationships
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Did You Like High School?
With 50th reunions abounding, many of us have had the opportunity to connect with our pasts. I’ve found it interesting that many of us, like me, hated high school. I said that – “I hated high school” – to a former classmate and he reacted in surprise. “Not you!” Yes, I thought, how often our…
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When Your Grown Child Is Hurting
I don’t know about you but feeling my child’s pain – whether he or she is 26 or 46 – is the worst. I’d rather step in front of a hurtling train. Many times during my son’s long illness, I would have done anything to trade places with him. I had lived my life. Even…
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Grandparenting
Spending a few days grand sitting – two girls, two dogs. I’m grateful for the time with them at this age since I wasn’t able to much when they were little. Maybe I missed a lot of the cute baby/toddler days, but tween years are pretty cool. Saturday was a busy day – mini golf,…
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What’s a Commitment Ceremony?
A few months ago I said, “Why don’t we have aa small celebration, like a blessing from the families, to show our commitment to each other?” Getting a positive response, I began to Google –– and learned that “commitment ceremony” was a thing! Apparently the concept started with couples who could not legally marry, such…
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Senior Relationships
Many of have experienced early and/or long-term marriages, divorces, or deaths of a spouse. Maybe we’ve ventured down the dating path, navigating singles groups, well-intentioned friends, and the maze of dating apps. We’re leery of online scams and yet we still try – or we swear off and decide to be satisfied with our life…
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What Is Family to You?
Some people say family is the other “f” word. I’m glad I don’t feel that way. Family to me is connection, history, and meaning––as well as love and belonging. I grew up with my mother’s large family, with seven aunts and two uncles and 20 first cousins, and on stories and laughter usually shared on…
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On Mother’s Day, After Losing a Child
It’s not my first Mother’s Day since my son died. And yes, I guess it gets easier. But it’s never without reflection. Only two people referenced it to me yesterday. Most seem to think it’s better if they don’t remind me, so that I can “move on with my life.” I am living my life,…
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Talk to your adult children
It’s tax time. For me that necessarily means a financial review. What I have earned, what I have spent in the past year, and what I can anticipate for the future. This blog comes as a request from my tax accountant: Please tell people to talk to their children about their finances! Her plea is…
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On 50th Anniversaries
Last week would have been my 50th wedding anniversary. I made it halfway, divorcing after 25 years. Still, a lot. Now it’s a simple observance: “Oh yeah, this would be 50 years.” Yet I wonder if anyone who enters into marriage with any serious intent ever really forgets? So I’ll reminiscence for a moment. Age…
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Ever tried acupuncture?
In December my lower back/hip hurt. A massage therapist helped a lot and encouraged me to get acupuncture. Since I am pretty steeped in traditional health care, I first messaged my rheumatologist to ask her opinion. (I have arthritic stenosis.) She responded with a referral to physical therapy and a prescription for a steroid. (I…
Our Aging Selves 