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The Grief Element

Recently, I read two powerful letters, both about life, death, love and grief. I realized that it’s been awhile since I articulated my own travels on…The Grief Element

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The Grief Element

Recently, I read two powerful letters, both about life, death, love and grief. I realized that it’s been awhile since I articulated my own travels on the grief road. So now seems like the right time for that. Me, my sister and my two cousins, sitting with King, our collie mix, circa 1956. Now I’m no expert about how early on in life grief becomes part of our individual fabrics as human beings.…

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Is This Real Life or the Twilight Zone?

So far this year has been like no other in my memory. Ever since the spring of 1961, when I was barely 10 years old, leaning on my dad, while …Is This Real Life or the Twilight Zone?

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Is This Real Life or the Twilight Zone?

In the Twilight Zone… So far this year has been like no other in my memory. Ever since the spring of 1961, when I was barely 10 years old, leaning on my dad, while watching John Kennedy speak about the Bay of Pigs debacle on national television, I have paid attention to what’s going on out there in the big world. Throughout the decades of my life, there have been many events that I’ve witnessed,…

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Back to the Lake

Eight years after Michael’s death, which still seems impossible to me, I am back in Michigan, at Lakeside, winding up a long weekend with my family. …Back to the Lake

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Back to the Lake

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The Big Stuff

Little, worried me. To begin with, let me say I understand that worrying about what may or may not happen is generally a waste of time. 2,493 more …The Big Stuff

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The Big Stuff

Little, worried me. To begin with, let me say I understand that worrying about what may or may not happen is generally a waste of time. No amount of mental effort spent on weighing all the scary possibilities that we humans have to manage in our lives, is energy well-spent. We all have to realize we can’t control everything. We can’t ensure that nothing bad will happen to us. I know, I know.…

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Birthday Boy

Michael’s birthday is the last significant anniversary that ends a tough stretch of emotional hurdles for me that begins every May 1st, on our …Birthday Boy

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When I’m 74 – Which Is Today

I returned from a two week trip to Colorado in early April, where I went to spend time with my son and his family as they’d just moved to a new home …When I’m 74 – Which Is Today

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When I’m 74 - Which Is Today

Out for an early dinner on my 74th birthday with the Colorado half of my family. I returned from a two week trip to Colorado in early April, where I went to spend time with my son and his family as they’d just moved to a new home in a new town. Seven weeks later, I’m now back there again, to help welcome their new baby who will be my last grandchild. This time, I’m staying for a month to help…

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Still The Perfect Day…

Me and Fern – aged seven. The years just relentlessly roll on. I could never have imagined all the varied iterations of my life as I’ve passed …Still The Perfect Day…

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Kim, Sheila and the Grocery Store Woman Who Will All Vanish

Life can be so serendipitous. Way back in the late summer of 1970, when I was beginning my junior year of college, my friend Maurine and I moved into…Kim, Sheila and the Grocery Store Woman Who Will All Vanish

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Kim, Sheila and the Grocery Store Woman Who Will All Vanish

My lifelong friend Joanne. Life can be so serendipitous. Way back in the late summer of 1970, when I was beginning my junior year of college, my friend Maurine and I moved into our first apartment together. Maurine and I were friends through both elementary and high school and had consistently maintained our relationship. She was transferring from Wisconsin to Illinois for our third year. Back…

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Like a Hurricane

Hurricane David at peak, 8/31/79 – Wikipedia Today, while trying to hold my head up and keep going, I suddenly remembered this long-ago moment which …Like a Hurricane

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Like a Hurricane

Hurricane David at peak, 8/31/79 – Wikipedia Today, while trying to hold my head up and keep going, I suddenly remembered this long-ago moment which happened back in September of 1979. During that month, Michael and I had gone down to Longboat Key, Florida to visit his parents. We were still without kids then, unconstrained by school schedules. I’d never been to Florida in September and soon…

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A Shout Out From The Microcosm

Art Mart interior – Photo by XIAOHUI ZHANG This morning I started my day with a visit to a long-lived, locally-owned variety shop. I’ve been frequenting this business for over 50 years. Always an eclectic destination since back in the ‘60’s, when you could buy funky clothes, mood rings and gorgeous yarns, it now houses a coffee shop, a bakery, a deli with unique cheeses and sandwiches, toys,…