I wrote this piece a while back, but it still reflects how I feel about my father. I wanted to share it today to honor my dad’s memory. My dad was fifty when I was born. I was the lucky recipient of an adoring father who never wavered in his constant love and attention. I…
Tag: family
My “Baby” Bridegroom: 46 Years Ago Today
Ray and I got married 46 years ago today, when I was 27, and he was 22. Yes, call me a cradle robber if you must. The first photos are of our official wedding, performed by a county judge in Mountain View, Arkansas. We had a tiny wedding with seven people invited, and seven more…
The Sweetness of an Ordinary Friday
Today, Ray, Ethan, and I traveled early to our daughter Rachael, son-in-law Andrew, and baby Milo’s house in Covina, where we were later joined by Ethan’s mom and dad, our daughter Liz, and son-in-law Ron. Our original plan was to travel together to South Pasadena and spend the day at our daughter Sarah and son-in-law…
In Memory of a Special Man on the Anniversary of his Death
Today, my niece Kevin sent me a text message: “Visiting a special place today.” Here is the photo she sent: This is the labyrinth at Huntsman Cancer Center in Salt Lake City, which was made possible in part by donations from Kevin’s dad’s friends and family. E. Ray was a special person who had a…
Brother George’s Last Day
I wrote this several years back, but I love this story of my brother George’s last day. My brother approached death with such grace that it is awe-inspiring. Twenty-two years ago this month, my brother George passed away. He was 54 years old. George called on the evening of May 2, 2004, and told me…
Travels to Salt Lake City and Texas
Hi my friends, Sorry, I dropped out of sight for a few weeks. The truth is that we went traveling, first to Salt Lake City for my great-niece’s college graduation, and then to Texas for a week, and I just ran out of steam every evening during the hours when I usually sit down to…
Happy Belated Birthday, Mom
I was thinking about my mother today and the secret things I loved about her. For example, I loved her smell, which was a combination of Oleg Cassini perfume, vo5 hair conditioner, and CoverGirl face powder. Also, I loved her “look.” She always wore slacks, a top, and a jacket no matter if it were…
Processing the Complications of Baby Milo’s Birth
On the day of my little grandson Milo’s birth, the first child of my daughter Rachael and my son-in-law Andrew, I wrote the email below to some dear writing friends of mine. I am posting it here for a few reasons: 1) to have a record of what happened, 2) to remind myself and anyone…
The Ides of March and a Brother Remembered
I have posted this story about my brother John before, but tomorrow is his birthday, and this story speaks so vividly to me of my deep love for him. For that reason, I am sharing it again since this time of year, John is very much on my mind. Could That Be My Brother? I…
For a Belated International Women’s Day: In Praise of Women
I have had the good fortune to know a myriad of strong women in my life, starting with my grandmother and mother, who were forces in their own right, to my mother’s partner, Dorothy; my sister, Leslie; my three powerful and opinionated daughters, Sarah, Liz, and Rachael; my oldest grandchild, Luna, who is the walking…
20 Minutes a Day 