The waitress placed the mushroom, egg, and pecorino risotto in front of me.  I inhaled the intoxicating woodsy aroma.  The man at the table next to us leaned over conspiratorially and offered, “I had the risotto too . . . it’s to die for . . . it’s absolutely to die for.

His choice of words floored me.  I had literally just gotten off the phone with my sister, who shared that our childhood friend had died at the tender age of 44.  My fellow diner’s casual expression has continued to resonate in my head as I celebrate my 48th birthday this week.

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My best friend escaped into ‘Never-Never Land.’  As the role of Mrs. Darling, she spent 4 months in 40 performances of “Peter Pan in the Park.” Her days and nights were surrounded by pirates, Indians, fairies and magic dust. (more…)

I recently had a chance to fly the friendly skies.  But there was one little problem: no one actually seemed very friendly . . . including me.  We were delayed – lots of grumbling.  Then there was nothing left but middle seats – more grousing.   An unhappy baby ahead of me cried throughout the flight. (more…)

My trusted friend Hickory, my old man golden retriever, had major surgery.  He has an incision running the length of his belly.  It makes it hard for him, in his recovery, to lie down in his favorite spot on the carpet by my desk.  Instead, he stands.They took out a tumor the size of a small watermelon, and it seems that the cancer has already spread to his liver.  I don’t know why I’m experiencing so many animal loss issues right now, but that seems to be the way of it. (more…)

My dear friend’s mother died recently.  Helen was 88 years old and had been sick with kidney disease for 3 years.  Her decline was not quick or pretty.  And yet, her dying had a certain beauty to it . . . a peaceful acceptance . . . a surrendered willingness. (more…)