Tomorrow is Ray’s and my 42nd wedding anniversary. Who knew we two kids would hold on tight for so many years, yelling and loving our way to some semblance of “mature” people? We are still full of flaws, but also full of compassion We still get mad fast, but also get over it even faster…

Some people think Julia is a strange girl. She definitely likes to shock people. She is so dedicated to seeing how people will react to socially incongruent stimuli that one time in our senior year of high school she had a false mustache professionally applied to her face – it looked totally real – and…

This is an imaginary interview with my grandmother, Winnie Waugh. I believe this is very much what she would say if she were sitting here with me. Grandma, what words of wisdom can you impart to me after your long life? Words of wisdom? Haha. I have plenty. Do not suffer fools gladly. Use your…

I am stretching and growing Uncomfortable The unknown looms, yet balanced by sunny skies verdant vistas babbling brooks Change connected to everything I’ve ever done everything I’ll ever do Getting my hands dirty as I dive in A familiar and welcome relief

To my daughters, sons-in-law (and one boyfriend), my grandkids, my nieces and nephews, and anyone else I love: If I were to die today, this is what I want you to know: You are whole and wonderful just as you are. You are enough. You are surrounded with love from all who have held you…

My daughter Rachael graduated yesterday with her Master of Arts in English with an emphasis in Literature from Loyola Marymount University here in Los Angeles. She has worked two part-time jobs and gone to school full-time for the past two years while maintaining a 4.0 GPA so, needless to say, our family is very proud…

I have a student who wrote in her medical school essay, “My grandmother grew up in a country that had been westernized before it became radicalized.” That country was Iran before the Islamic Revolution in 1979, which took Iran from a modern country back to the dark ages, especially for women and the gay community….

“How do we do this?” Lois asked as she pushed the baby stroller up the hill to her San Francisco home. “I mean, we both know getting Harold to agree is going to be a nightmare.” “Harold, Smarold,” her best friend Chloe said giving her graying ponytail a defiant toss. “Since when have we done…

Life is a teapot, wide in the middle and usually a bit on the short side. The teapot’s long spout keeps hot stuff at a safe distance, unless, you splash willy-nilly, being someone who doesn’t mind  messes. A good handle also helps, particularly when handling copious amounts of hot water. Unless, of course, you tend…

Earth’s endless hills and dells Symbolize life’s parallels Rising high, sinking low Shining light and dull shadow Water’s gentle ebb and flow Cradle and rock my very soul The shallows and great depths Reflect my deep and rhythmic breaths Fire’s constant flicker and flame Burn away both fear and shame Hot-dark red and cool-light blue…