Life's Picture Album...
I never understood the mothers who carry around albums of their son's Bar Mitzvah months afterward wanting to show and share memories of the day and weekend. Perhaps they are not ready to let go of their wonderful experience after investing so much of their lives in this one weekend event. Perhaps they are scared that if they do not share them, the memories will be forgotten. . more

For the Dogs...
Now dogless, the Capital Area Humane Society released a press notice this morning announcing their closure. With no dogs, their mission of keeping stray dogs captive no longer seems relevant “All animals deserve the dignity of freedom,” responded Temple Israel volunteer Lesli M., after releasing the captives one by one into the wilderness. For the past several years Temple Israel has volunteered ... .... more

Toxic...
As we got into the ambulance, the driver said to me, "Don't take offense at the mask, but if you've been exposed to the flu, I don't want to get it." If only it had been the flu Almost everyone in the emergency room that day was wearing a mask, not just the doctors, nurses and medical assistants. .... more

Clotted Cream and Jam...
"It was God's plan." "She has gone to a better place." Those two top the list as the most insensitive things said to us after our daughter, Sarah, died. Although I know that sincere people said them in sincerity, I am sure that they did not consider what those words convey, especially to mourning parents. .... more

The Ocean's Net...
We stood in the kitchen making small talk. It was a social gathering for those with geographical commonalities. We knew little about each other; our names were emblazoned through nametags, so we wouldn't forget whom we were talking with at any given moment. It was a mix of people. I am not really sure what brought some of them that night. Although I was there, I dreaded the question the inevitable question- How many kids do you have? It surprised me that no one asked. I thought I was off the hook as we talked politics, weather and architecture. .... more

Tomorrow's Promises... new

If I have learned nothing else through my 16-year-old daughter's death, it is that you can never tell your children enough times how much you love them. You can never hold them enough, listen to them enough, and be with them enough. You can't play too many board games or eat too many meals with them, because life offers no guarantees. You have to enjoy them while you have them, because at some point it may be too late.... more

The March for Women's Lives- 2004...

The activist of my 20s would never have stayed at the Hyatt. On to Washington for the March for Women's Lives, the trip included airplanes to assure that my 13 year old would not miss school the next day, and a comfortable close room so that my mother would get a good night's sleep and wouldn't have to walk any further than she needed. Concerns of generation sandwiched protesters are decidedly different from those concerns I had in my youth.... more