In 2018, I created a Youtube Channel to introduce my book, “The Promise I Kept,” about the caregiving journey I took with my dad the last nine years of his life, as well as other topics. But, as luck would have it, other things eventually got in the way, and I stopped doing the videos. Recently, I was approached by two friends, a producer and media specialist, to collaborate with them. They wanted start up the series again, then turn the discussions in to […]
Months of endlessly pestering had finally paid off. The end of 8th grade was coming in two weeks, and I was determined to get an early present, even if it killed me.
In 1965, I was thirteen and completely flat-chested. While the other girls flaunted their lacey symbols of womanhood under crisp white uniform blouses, I sported a cotton tee shirt. I was what people called a late bloomer. Spring’s first bud had yet to form on my bony body, but I was adamant—chest or […]
We’ve all suffered through the COVID-19 pandemic with isolating ourselves from our loved ones, staying away from work, and literally hiding in our homes. It often feels as if a raging hurricane is overhead and we’re praying for the sun to one day come out. Like everyone, I’ve had moments of sadness and feeling lost. As an artist, I felt that this should have been a time where the creative juices flowed because I’ve been uninterrupted for hours, but instead I’ve sat listless and […]
Life is meant for dancing
After three weeks of isolation, today I finally lost it. Not because of the lockdown with no one to talk to or because my freedom’s been taken away. Not because I haven’t seen my four kids since this all began or that I won’t be in Austin for the birth of my second grandson as once planned. And, while the enormity of lives lost due to this pandemic is enough to create a meltdown in all of us, today it […]
Carefully studying my father, his eyes closed as he traveled deep into his memories, I decided it was time to one ask a very difficult question. Pulling up a chair, I put my hand on his and said, “Dad, I need to talk to you.” Opening up those Irish blue eyes I loved so dearly, he waited for what he thought would be a pleasant conversation, only to be met with, “How do you want it to look when you die?”
Horrified, his face […]
As I sat on the phone with each of my four adult children, I became pissy with what felt like over-blown concerns about my safety. I’m not an invalid, I’m perfectly healthy with no compromised immune system, and I’m not “that” old. Then, they reminded me of my true age (67), and the targeted group for this coronavirus to wipe me out. My scheduled trip to Austin, Texas, to be present for the birth of my second grandchild was now, in their opinion out […]
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