On Transparency: The Power of Shared Stories

I feel like everyone is kind of coming out of a period of hibernation as we enter this new year, speaking truths that have laid dormant for quite a while. We endured such a period of censorship that now podcasters and journalists are swinging in the opposite direction, more expressive, controversial and in your faceContinue reading “On Transparency: The Power of Shared Stories”

Revamping the Broken US Education System

Talking with a teacher friend of mine this weekend provided great insight into a clearly broken system. As background, recall that the current US public educational system stems from the efforts of devoted self proclaimed democratists Horace Mann and John Dewey. As Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education, Mann championed the idea of “commonContinue reading “Revamping the Broken US Education System”

Coping with Holiday Grief: Navigating Loss During the Festive Season

Last year I lost my two precious teenage boys to suicide, one in February, the other in December. We just passed Sean’s one year angelversary. Because they both died using firearms, my dear friend began a blog early this year that seeks to bring awareness to the issues of gun violence and suicide, especially whereContinue reading “Coping with Holiday Grief: Navigating Loss During the Festive Season”

How I Spent My Perfect Winter Solstice

It is not often I have a completely unscheduled day that is completely open to opportunity but I was blessed to have such a one today. And how appropriate for it to occur on Winter Solstice. Here is how I chose to spend it. I took my time waking up between 7:00-7:30. Along with completingContinue reading “How I Spent My Perfect Winter Solstice”

Navigating Teen Years with Compassion

I read a lot of books about how to be a parent before I had my first baby and when my babies were little. How to sleep train, how to potty train, later how to homeschool. I love to seek out knowledge as I pursue the paths in my life. But what I found wasContinue reading “Navigating Teen Years with Compassion”

On Holidays

Exploring how to navigate holidays when life changes in the wake of divorce and death

On Camp

This is an accolade to camp. As a child I attended summer camps for one or two weeks or a few days at a time over the summer, sometimes a few different camps during a summer break. Never for the entire summer as some kids especially in the east do. It was mostly a lovelyContinue reading “On Camp”

Book Report

I am listening to a Reese Witherspoon book, Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall. I just happened upon it because it was well rated. I have been surprised and delighted by how much it resonates with me. As a mom who lost two of my children in one year I really identify with the lossContinue reading “Book Report”

My Secrets

People always ask how I can look so good after having 5 kids. Mostly I owe this to good genes. My Mom gave me beautiful skin. From my Dad I inherited a zest for life and positive, adventurous outlook, longevity genes and sun hardy skin. But aside from that here are my daily tips. AContinue reading “My Secrets”

On Tattoos 🎨

I am excited to bring you a blog post by a guest author for the very first time!! I was so interested upon hearing this perspective in a conversation that I immediately asked my friend Frances to write an article explaining it. To me it represents a very middle of the road and sensible approachContinue reading “On Tattoos 🎨”