Just. In. Case.
The 3 words most used by Jewish mothers.
The 3 words their kids least want to hear.
Daniel was packing up for his semester abroad. According to airline regulations, his suitcase can’t weigh over 50 pounds—which forces him to weigh priorities.
So he makes a colossal mistake and asks me if I would help [...]
I don’t mean recent blog-less days when I was disconnected from everyone—and everything—online. And I don’t mean Daniel’s trip to Buenos Aires (3 days down, 5 months to go…..not that I’m counting.) My separation issues go way deeper…and way back.
Back to the beginning…..when parenting experts inform you that separation anxiety is a big issue for [...]
No cell phone. No email. No credit card. No itinerary.
That’s how I went to Europe with a couple girlfriends the summer I was 19. I had a suitcase, a Eurail pass, and a vague idea of where we were going. The plans changed daily; Air France lost my suitcase; at least I hung onto the [...]
…..is something I haven’t mentioned….maybe because I don’t really want to think about it.
It’s one of those times when you get what you wish for.
I’ve always encouraged my kids to experience everything they could. Who knew they would take me seriously?
Daniel’s home for a week—-but it’s just a pit stop before a semester abroad. 5 [...]
For the children most of us know, life is easy—- at least compared to the life of a Haitian orphan or Sudanese refugee. Still, an easy life doesn’t mean an escape from emotional pain. Stuff happens, usually things parents never sign up for.
That’s what happened to a young mother whose husband is going through rigorous [...]
I don’t remember the day itself; but I have a record of what I did.
It’s in this little journal I kept through my first pregnancy. It was meant for food—-but I’d be horrified to record what I consumed every day— so I kept track of everything else.
Across the top of the page I wrote a [...]
I nourished them, nurtured them, nuzzled them, nudged them.
They grew inside me, outside me, and away from me.
I used to know everything about them; now sometimes I think I know nothing about them.
It happened over years but it feels like overnight—when I realize I need them more than they need me.
Maybe it’s time to move “Mother” [...]
The kids will be home for the holidays. Though I’m always ecstatic to see them, one area is always a sore subject.
When Alli arrives she marches straight to the kitchen to perform an inspection. The refrigerator. The cupboards. The bread basket. She peers at the date on every single container—ready to pounce if she [...]
I was in Los Angeles for the holiday to see my two 20-something kids. I was there only around 36 hours—barely time to digest Thanksgiving dinner— but long enough to overlap Black Friday. Though I’m a sucker for a great sale, I’d rather walk over hot coals than shop that day.
But Alli almost never asks [...]
Seems like old times…..a replay of my dream that came true…..
The house at night filled with kids crowded into the kitchen….greeting me with big smiles and big hugs….the sounds of boisterous boys……tromping up the back stairs to Daniel’s room…..waking up to a lazy Sunday morning….. making a big breakfast ……Daniel stretched out on the couch [...]
