Transitioning a loved one to a long-term care facility is never easy. But there is one thing we can do to lighten the emotional toll it takes, something that can give meaning and purpose to the process. Ruth Ann, my wife Lori’s mom, transitioned to an assisted living facility this summer. Though she has a …
Our oldest daughter, Mary, was home for a week this summer. She is getting married soon, so this was her last visit with us before her big day. After she left, Lori and I found little notes she left us scattered throughout the house. On the coffee pot, her note read, “Loved our morning coffee, …
Even the most ardent of President Biden’s supporters acknowledge it wasn’t a smooth landing. His exit from the presential race was less like the door quietly shutting on the way out and more like someone stumbling down the stairs, unaware of the tumble, dazed and confused about what just happened. For older people like myself, …
My wife, Lori, and I took an Alaskan cruise to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. After boarding the ship, the cruise director held an optional orientation meeting. During his introduction, he involved the crowd. “How many of you are celebrating a wedding anniversary this week?” was followed by, “How many have been married five years?” …
I gently placed the pine cone in Stella’s tender hands, careful not to let its rough edges scratch her. Stella, my two-year-old granddaughter, had spent the day after her mother’s surgery close to her, perhaps a daughterly instinct to care for her mom. But the next day, she was ready to romp with me. We …