From a Travel Pulse Column Published Aug. 30, 2010 This column was supposed to be published in April and titled “Our California Adventure,” a personal recap of my family of four’s February vacation. It was my children’s first visit to California, so we had planned a whirlwind adventure to four theme parks between Los Angeles … Continue reading Growing Up a Travel Brat
Author: Kelly B
weight/less
Ten years ago today, My universe collapsed. Launched into space without tether, Staked to the ground, flattened. At the same time floating And searching for foundation, While boulders rained in unison Down upon my shoulders. Now I stand and admire the vast sky. But that weight(lessness), Always lingering Until we meet again.
Not Home for the Holidays
I cried on the way back from the Christmas tree farm last weekend. I wasn’t overcome with holiday joy, anticipating the special memories our little family of four were about to make again… decorating the tree by a roaring fire while watching Claymation Christmas specials on TV. And they weren’t tears of frustration because it … Continue reading Not Home for the Holidays
Now what?
This is the rhetorical question my husband half-heartedly threw towards my hastily retreating body as I practically ran down the escalator from the departure area of Newark airport two weeks ago. We had just dropped our daughter, our oldest child, off for her overnight flight to the UK and grad school in Scotland. The airport … Continue reading Now what?
Growing, Knowing and Other Big Revelations From a Soon-to-be Empty Nester
My baby turned 18 last week. I can practically feel my husband’s eyes rolling right now, but I bet there are more than a few moms out there who would agree with my description of a youngest child. Funny how so many of us always refer to our youngest as the baby, especially since it … Continue reading Growing, Knowing and Other Big Revelations From a Soon-to-be Empty Nester
Hearing is Believing, Part One
My father died quietly in an ICU hospital bed five years ago today. Finally disconnected from the tubes and machines that were keeping him alive, but just barely, he slipped away into what I hoped wasn't a vast black hole of nothingness. Instead, I imagined his soul easing gently from its broken confines and escaping … Continue reading Hearing is Believing, Part One
A Bogey is a Good Thing
I'm not a dog person. If you're a pet lover and that first sentence didn't turn you off right away, let me tell you the story of how a dog became my unexpected savior. During the summer of 2009, I finally caved to my children's incessant requests for a dog. One rainy day, we started … Continue reading A Bogey is a Good Thing
Holding Hands With Your Heart
I cried on the way to Trader Joe's today. What is it about being in the car alone that makes every wistful thought, every premonition of the future and mournful reminiscence of the past come surging to the surface? It must be the lulling monotony of the drive that causes our minds to tiptoe into … Continue reading Holding Hands With Your Heart
You’ve got mail. But not on the weekends.
I'll admit it, I'm upset at the news this morning. I can't stop thinking about it. The world is changing before our very eyes, and I'm mourning the loss already. Today the USPS announced it will no longer deliver mail on Saturdays beginning in August. The move will save the failing company two billion dollars a … Continue reading You’ve got mail. But not on the weekends.
Living in Shades of Gray (and hoping there’s more than Fifty)
We live in a world of extremes, and it's never been more apparent to me than in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook shooting. Extreme makeovers. Extreme sports. Extreme climate. Extreme religion. It all boils down to an extreme reality which isn't particularly real at all. (Are we really supposed to think the Kardashians or … Continue reading Living in Shades of Gray (and hoping there’s more than Fifty)