Daughter and Mother Adjust To Being ‘On My Own’
In thinking about transitioning and moving on, as I am about to be doing in my ‘retirement’ now, I think about this past year’s big change in having my daughter move out on her own. Moving on takes many forms. For Nava, my daughter with disabilities, it has meant her moving into a group home. We […]
Retirement – Moving On
I did it – the big R word – Retired. I submitted my retirement papers to the New York City Department of Education. Twenty years as an early childhood social worker. I am actually leaving ‘early’, not waiting to reach maximum benefits. So when my workmates ask me why, my answer is “because I want […]
The Power of Listening: Helping Someone Through a Difficult Time
I am pleased to reprint the beginning of my guest post, published yesterday on Tess Marshall’s wonderful blog, The Bold Life. It’s often hard to know what to say to a friend or loved one during his/her trying times. We don’t know the ‘right’ words. We are uncomfortable with their pain. We feel helpless. And […]
Getting to ‘Thankful’ Can Help Get Through Hard Times
I’m still reeling from the incredibly inspirational interview with Jeni Stepanek last week. I feel drawn to continue a bit longer with this and hone in on one of Mattie’s poignant and wise- beyond- his years, comment. “If you have enough breath to complain about anything, you have more than enough reason to give thanks […]
Interview with Jeni Stepanek, Mother of Poet and Peace Activist Mattie Stepanek
… “Go forth vowing to choose gently, celebrating life each day. Go forth vowing to choose wisely, playing after every storm.” From “Choice Vows” by Mattie J.T. Stepanek In Loving through Heartsongs (Hyperion, 2003) I am honored to have the privilege of speaking to Jeni Stepanek, an incredibly courageous woman who lives life to the […]
Bring Out the Best in People – Four Ways to Show ‘You Matter’
We as human beings all have a need to be heard, to be validated, and to be understood. Without necessarily agreeing with someone’s position or sharing the same interests, we can still be there for people in a positive way and help bring out their good. Interest- Take an interest in the other person. […]
New Experiences During Difficult Times, and the New Joy It Can Bring
I recently realized that during two major life-altering times in my life, I tried out something new. And nineteen years and nine years later (respectively), I am still actively engaged in both. They have become an integral part of my life. The summer I got separated (from my then husband), 19 years ago, my friend […]
“Live On Purpose” Radio Show – Featuring Yours Truly
I just had the wonderful experience of being interviewed in an online radio program called Live On Purpose, hosted by Dr. Paul Jenkins. This was a first for me. I stepped out of my comfort zone to do this. It was done on the phone and went live online within a few minutes. I was nervous […]
Parenting Post Divorce
Divorce is too high – yes And too many kids are being messed up through divorce – yes I’m not here to help lessen the divorce rate; but I am here to help kids adjust as well as possible, with as little scarring as possible, to their parent’s divorce. Kids don’t ask to be a […]
Healthy Respite, or How I Became a TJMaxx Junkie
In my most recent interview with author Ann Hood, she stated that knitting helped her cope and get through her day-to-day grief. She wrote a best-selling novel, The Knitting Circle, about women coming together to knit while discussing their losses and problems. Knitting was a source of comfort. When my daughter, Nava, went through a […]