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My brother Bruce remembers, “My Dad was cool!”
At my mother’s memorial in 1999, we were all too raw to share personal remarks, but at Dad’s memorial, it seemed right to share our memories and reflections. Together, we painted a more complete...
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Scott speaks to Dad’s exemplification of Marine values
My eldest brother, Scott, 15 years senior, kicked off the family remarks at my father’s memorial on Saturday. He spoke from notes rather than full text, so I’ve done the best I can to recreate them...
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I can, therefore I am
Cocktails with Maddie at Clyde Common Last week, Todd and I looked at each other in surprise when we came to the same realization. We could go to a movie. We could go out for a cocktail. We could watch...
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On My Trip I Took A…
When you lose someone – expectedly or unexpectedly – many supportive people and institutions come forth with suggestions about what to expect. They want to do what they can, say what they can, to help...
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Everyday Moments
Here’s what I didn’t do when I first awakened this morning: I didn’t wonder to myself if Dad was awake yet or whether this might be the morning that I found he had slipped away. And last night, I...
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The Friends Who (Always) Stand By
Yesterday I awakened to an early morning message from my best-oldest best friend, who I have often described as “the one into whose arms I fell” when I was in 7th grade, the one who saved me as a...
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Gratuituous Grace On Thanksgiving
Eighteen days ago, one of my oldest friends was suddenly ripped away from all of us who love her. Five days later, her husband asked me contact a couple of her friends, friends that dated back to our...
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Aging Gracefully… or Disgracefully?
Official Portrait, Promotion to Colonel, 1959 Somewhere along the line, word got out that I knew something about aging parents. During the seven years that I cared for my father, and the eighteen...
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With Gratitude: Seeing Red
All summer and fall, I’ve been trying to write about my mother, who died in 1999. I thought I was at peace with her when she died. I had been one of her hospice caregivers during the months she...
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Mom, On Thanksgiving
As I’ve been thinking and writing about my mother this month, I’ve unearthed various letters and tidbits that bring her wit and wisdom roaring back… I published this as part of a post last week but it...
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