The Blessings You Receive, Being There For Someone Else So much of my life is hidden. A secret club, a knowing smile, a few poignant words. I can walk up to another parent whose child/adult is going through a public meltdown and say, “My kid’s louder than yours,” and she’ll…

Until We Say “Enough” — What constitutes an emergency? A serious, unexpected event requiring immediate action. Something that constitutes an immediate risk to one’s health, life, property, and/or surroundings. A young man is bleeding profusely; he’s been stabbed or shot. An elderly woman falls in the supermarket, suffering a heart attack or stroke. There’s an…

Want A Solid Foundation To Write? What’s On Your Bedside Table? — I didn’t tell anyone I wanted to be a writer. I didn’t admit it to myself, nor to my family. Ours was a strict, military family where you did what you were told. We didn’t talk much, especially to each other. You made sure your bedsheets were pulled tight, to…

I’m Curious What His Girlfriend Thinks Of This — My ex-husband doesn’t even have email, so I doubt he’ll read this. He’s a narcissistic, gaslighting gossip and definitely not my favorite person. But it’s kind of funny, the way he’s been trying to get my attention. When someone’s trying to make you miserable, it can be very effective to…

The Next-Door Neighbors Who Didn’t Want To Leave — “I know of a house that’s about to go on the market,” the real estate agent told us. My husband and I were tired and ready to give up the search in this area, a bit further north than I wanted to be. The agent called ahead and got permission…

How We Made Frenemies, Our First Day in the Neighborhood — Obedience is something we learn (or learn to rebel against) as children. It’s drilled into us in kindergarten or first grade: “line up, no talking, hands at your sides, don’t touch that.” I was reminded of this when we moved into our new house and I met the neighbors. Turns…

You find the strength to let go — Years ago, I worked as a nursing assistant in a long-term care facility, a job I loved. Every night, I had 28 residents to feed, bathe, and get to bed. A few of them would wake up during the night, usually about 2:00 or 3:00 a.m. I’d ask a question…

When family isn’t the one you married into, but the one you created yourself. — We started off the marriage with good intentions. We wanted a house with a yard, to raise our 1.5 children (a three year old and one on the way), but couldn’t afford anything close to Manhattan. We decided to adapt, and expand our search. …