Category Archives: Personal Memories

My Mother’s Love Grew in My Garden

With Mother’s Day coming up, a new poignancy is added to the loss and destruction of my former gardens. The image of the rose-covered arbor that came up in the Facebook memories brings with it a deep association with my

My Mother’s Love Grew in My Garden

With Mother’s Day coming up, a new poignancy is added to the loss and destruction of my former gardens. The image of the rose-covered arbor that came up in the Facebook memories brings with it a deep association with my

Garden Grief

At this time of year, my former beautiful garden in my former home appears as random pop-up memories on Facebook as it did yesterday. It startles, a poignant but at times painful reminder of the beauty I created, nurtured, and

Garden Grief

At this time of year, my former beautiful garden in my former home appears as random pop-up memories on Facebook as it did yesterday. It startles, a poignant but at times painful reminder of the beauty I created, nurtured, and

A Mother’s Voice Never Leaves Us

The calendar says today is 17 years since my mother passed away. The yahrzeit candle I lit last night confirms that. Yet, as so many of you understand, it feels surreal for it to be that many years. That means

A Mother’s Voice Never Leaves Us

The calendar says today is 17 years since my mother passed away. The yahrzeit candle I lit last night confirms that. Yet, as so many of you understand, it feels surreal for it to be that many years. That means

Perpetual Care  

With butterflies in my stomach, last Saturday I sat in the darkened theatre at the Cinema Arts Centre, a storied theatre in Huntington, Long Island, waiting for my short, deeply personal film “Perpetual” to be screened. I sank into the

Perpetual Care  

With butterflies in my stomach, last Saturday I sat in the darkened theatre at the Cinema Arts Centre, a storied theatre in Huntington, Long Island, waiting for my short, deeply personal film “Perpetual” to be screened. I sank into the

Turning 70

Today I turn seventy, a number Hallmark decrees a milestone based on the number of greeting cards there are.  I’ve moved through all my significant birthdays pretty smoothly.  Thirty was a breeze, and forty was fabulous. Fifty felt empowering and

Turning 70

Today I turn seventy, a number Hallmark decrees a milestone based on the number of greeting cards there are.  I’ve moved through all my significant birthdays pretty smoothly.  Thirty was a breeze, and forty was fabulous. Fifty felt empowering and

What in Your Life is Irreplaceable?

If you had to flee your home in an instant, what would be the one object you absolutely had to take with you? In a recent Zoom with friends, whose lives have been touched by the recent natural catastrophes, I

What in Your Life is Irreplaceable?

If you had to flee your home in an instant, what would be the one object you absolutely had to take with you? In a recent Zoom with friends, whose lives have been touched by the recent natural catastrophes, I

social security card

Social Insecurity

I am now breaking into old childhood piggy banks in search of vintage coins that might be worth money. This is how terrified I am of losing social security. Not to mention the crashing stock market. Some of my old

social security card

Social Insecurity

I am now breaking into old childhood piggy banks in search of vintage coins that might be worth money. This is how terrified I am of losing social security. Not to mention the crashing stock market. Some of my old

Canada My Favorite Neighbor

Oh, Canada, we the people of America never wanted this breakup. Our commitment to Canada was once something unshakeable. True Blue. Literally written in stone. John F. Kennedy famously defined the nature of the relationship between Canada and the United

Canada My Favorite Neighbor

Oh, Canada, we the people of America never wanted this breakup. Our commitment to Canada was once something unshakeable. True Blue. Literally written in stone. John F. Kennedy famously defined the nature of the relationship between Canada and the United

International Women’s Day Celebrating Female Spirit

Today on International Women’s Day, along with the bravery of the Ukrainian women, I would be remiss if I didn’t also honor my mother-in-law Eva Katz. When I look in the faces of the young Ukrainian women walking through the

International Women’s Day Celebrating Female Spirit

Today on International Women’s Day, along with the bravery of the Ukrainian women, I would be remiss if I didn’t also honor my mother-in-law Eva Katz. When I look in the faces of the young Ukrainian women walking through the