Solitude liberated me from isolation and mediocrity. For me, isolation results from a feeling of imprisonment. I have felt physically isolated in a crowd, at a bar, in a faculty meeting or even in the exercise gym where I am the weakest and slowest. For me, solitude is self-chosen: a personal path to exploring…
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Suprise Me
From Strangers to Friends
Prompted By Isolation and Solitude
/ Stories
Solitude liberated me from isolation and mediocrity. For me, isolation results from a feeling of imprisonment. I have felt physically isolated in a crowd, at a bar, in a faculty meeting or even in the exercise gym where I am the weakest and slowest. For me, solitude is self-chosen: a personal path to exploring…
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Not a Goldfish
Prompted By Attention Span
/ Stories
After I retired, I joined the board of the preschool I had founded as a community representative. We were planning our 25th anniversary year celebration, which was to include a video of the founding, history, and philosophy of the school. It was during a discussion about this video that I learned that people in 2017…
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Thank You For Your Service
Prompted By Veterans Day
/ Stories
Our veterans are some of the most special people in our world. They have sacrificed so much for our freedom and security. On Veterans Day, let’s take a moment to thank them for their service and to celebrate their humor, resilience, and strength. Here are a few humorous and appreciative thoughts about our veterans:…
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Our Grand Summer Trip
Prompted By That Summer
/ Stories
Thankfully, one summer 52 years ago my husband I made an impractical and probably irresponsible choice. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of our lives.
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Searching for Peace
/ Stories
“Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.” —Dalai Lama I find there’s a quiet kind of healing peace in the early morning empty streets and pathways, a softness in the Spring sky that speaks to my soul. With the world as loud and uncertain as it is, I remind myself to…
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The Sister Lottery
Prompted By Siblings
/ Stories
The Sister Lottery Just this morning I learned that one of my good friends has an older sister. They’re extremely different, apparently, but mostly their value systems appear to be miles apart. “I just don’t like her and I have no respect for her,” my friend concluded. I couldn’t help but reflect on the…
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The Elevator
Prompted By Timing is Everything
/ Stories
The Elevator By New York standards our apartment building is not very big with 16 floors and 187 apartments, and over the years we’ve come to know many of our neighbors altho certainly not all. One day I was in the elevator when a women I’d seen in the building – but didn’t know –…
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Piano Man – Remembering Herb
Prompted By That Summer
/ Stories
Piano Man – Remembering Herb My memories of that summer between college and grad school, when I took a camp job with my friend Liz, are bittersweet. Liz and I were co-counselors for a bunk of kids, and I had also signed on as drama counselor. When we arrived at camp I was introduced to…
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A tale of wash day danger
Prompted By Laundry
/ Stories
Trying to take his jeans out of dryer dubbed "the green monster," a young athlete's life is changed forever.
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I Wanted the Fairy Tale
Prompted By Weddings
/ Stories
Dan and I started dating during my Junior year at Brandeis. He graduated that year, but lived locally, and would come by after dinner to spend the night. He always began phrases, “When we are married…” Finally I said, “Do you really think we’ll get married?” He responded affirmatively, so I said, “Why don’t you…
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