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
Category: Inside the Shell
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
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)
In Pursuit of Happiness (and a little Zen)
Happy Friday. I've decided that every Friday will be deemed such as I begin my pursuit of the Art of Happiness and I would love to have you join me. Our journey begins with a little book of big ideas, and my 15-year-old daughter gave it to me for my birthday last summer. She knew intuitively … Continue reading In Pursuit of Happiness (and a little Zen)
The Best Present
I realized something at midnight January 1, 2013, as my family and I watched the ball drop: New Year's is the only truly universal celebration. While the networks panned over clips of song and glitter from all corners of the globe and my own family toasted and cheered and reeled through our lofty resolutions, I … Continue reading The Best Present
My Penelope Trunk Hangover
Note: Last week I took a webinar course on "How to Write About Your Life" with Penelope Trunk, a wildly successful blogger, author and entrepreneur. She also has quite a wild history and an edgy present. I learned a lot but came away questioning whether I had the chops to successfully write about my own … Continue reading My Penelope Trunk Hangover
kellyBmusing 