As the days turn to weeks since the passing of my mother, I find myself hyper aware that grief has become a daily companion. Taking time to grieve has allowed me to laugh, cry, yearn, and reminisce. It’s a layered experience that includes a mix of emotions. 1. Grief is
On January 18, 2023, my mom, Mary T. Johnson, took her leave of this world. She died peacefully at home surrounded by family. My greatest champion in life, my mom inspired the following Five on Friday posts over the years. 1. This one’s for you, Mom! From 2016, this Five
This Five on Friday is from last year, and bears repeating. On Monday, we pay tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. Stories and accolades will fill every form of media. Appropriately so. We will celebrate this legendary leader’s commitment to nonviolence and his extraordinary legacy of fighting for racial justice
My family ushered in the year of the Rabbit with taiko drumming and fireworks on the beach in Okinawa, Japan. Three generations of family members, ranging in age from barely six weeks to more than six decades, gathered for the holiday. For some of us, it was the first time
Wednesday of this week was the winter solstice – the darkest day of the year in the northern hemisphere – when the earth is tilted as far away from the sun as possible. The sun’s path across the sky is the lowest it will be all year. From now till
Over the past few weeks, I have received numerous reading list recommendations – for travel, history, food, sports, and so on. It has inspired me to create a year-end list of my own on mental health. Whether you prefer fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, or history, there is something here for everyone.
My mom attended the memorial service for her lifelong friend, Pat Munz, this week. She and Pat had known each other for over sixty years. They raised their kids together. They called each other when the Entenmann’s Day Old Store had a two-for-one sale. They coordinated car-pools and watched each
Witnessing two of my sons become fathers has been a uniquely transformative experience. I hoped they would be good parents. I knew they would be good parents. Over these first few months of observing my sons as fathers, the reality is more inspiring than I could have imagined. Much has
Thanksgiving is a time to pause, recognize, and express our appreciation for all that is good and enriching in our lives. There’s no doubt that we all have experiences in life that are challenging and difficult – times when it is hard to be grateful. A practice of gratitude doesn’t
When I was in Egypt last month, I saw signs everywhere for the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (a.k.a. COP27) that was to take place in Sharm El Sheikh. Over the past two weeks, heads of state, government officials, and members of civil society convened there to take action
In 1918, in the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the armistice to end World War I was signed. The day became known as Armistice Day. Today, in the US, it is called Veteran’s Day, a federal holiday that honors all veterans for their service and
I have a new grandson! It is thrilling. His chubby cheeks make us swoon. He is strong and healthy. His arrival also means significant changes in everyday routines, sleepless nights, and new identities for my son and daughter-in-law, the new parents. The joy of a new baby is indescribable, and
