Note: After writing this post last night and sleeping on it, I think perhaps I should have waited before pressing the “Publish” button. I realize that my words may have been offensive to those friends of mine whose children have (or they themselves have) achieved the National Merit Scholarship, and for that I am very sorry. In no way did I intend to denigrate your accomplishments. I know how hard a student needs to work and I say a huge KUDOS to all those who do qualify as semi-finalists. My gripe is NOT with those who do succeed, but with … Continue reading Merit? Give me a Break!

   Since this selfie was snapped about three months ago, grandma’s health has deteriorated significantly. In an effort to meet federal standards of one-size-fits-all care, the nursing home moved Grandma from the TLC secure unit with a smaller patient-staff ratio back to the general population where all the aides had to learn all about her needs. (Even the terminology used in nursing home settings sounds more like prison and less like love!) This despite the fact that the sweet aides in the back had her on a good schedule. She was happy and smiling, and even though she couldn’t speak, … Continue reading A Victim of One-Size-Fits-All Healthcare

Thirty years ago, a boy named Bill made a callous comment about me to his friends. His cruel words still ring in my ears, and I can remember where I was standing and the red flush that overspread my face as he spoke and the others laughed. My heart dropped to the ground and dug a deep hole that I still have to climb. Every single time I look in the mirror I hear his words in my head validating the insecurity I already felt about my body: Nobody would ever want to go out with her. She’s as flat … Continue reading The Power of Words