When my husband John got home from work yesterday at 10 pm, I asked him if he could take our dog Jessie out for her last pee. They seemed gone an awfully long time. Jessie usually goes quickly on our front lawn and high tails it…
After my mom died last year, I found a note to her from my dad in the top drawer of her dresser. My parents divorced decades ago, and my dad is also now deceased. I was intrigued to read this note from my dad, and…
A couple friends of mine recently became grandparents. One was showing me pictures of her six-month-old granddaughter dressed as a pumpkin—cute as a button—with the most pinch-able chubby rosy cheeks. I’ve never been gaga over other people’s kids (or grandkids) but even I had to…
I come from a long line of worriers. My grandmother Klari had an exceptional gift for seeing disaster in everything. She wasn’t entirely crazy given her sister’s family were rounded up by the Nazi’s and murdered in Auschwitz. But even decades later, living a very…
My older son, Jake, turned 21 yesterday. When Jake was born, John’s boss gave us a bottle of vintage port to save for this day. Jake is studying far away, so we will have to wait until he is back home to uncork this beauty…
I met Rabbi Reva on the day my mom died. She works in the spiritual center at the hospital, and came to my mom’s bedside to sing prayers for the dying. My mom’s brain had already died, and the formality of taking her off life…
I have been following the Internet sensation Emily Hartridge on her YouTube channel. Emily is a 20-something British comedienne whose 10 Reasons Why series is my weekly amuse-bouche. This week, I am outright stealing Emily’s concept and have written my own 10 Reasons Why. Background:…
My grown-up family rarely goes to the movies together anymore. The intersection of the Venn circles of our four lives has become narrower and narrower, as our sons mature into adulthood. Going out as a family has become a rare treat. Last week, we went…
My sister and I have been putting my mom’s life into boxes. She died two months ago, so we are sorting through her things deciding what we keep, what goes to others who loved her, and what gets shipped off to strangers in need. My…
On the morning of the day my mom died, Moe, a minister from the hospital’s spiritual center dropped by the ICU where I sat alone with my mom. Moe asked me how I was doing, and I started to cry, emotions I had suppressed for…