My 17 year old daughter, Elizabeth, has begun the college application process (yikes!).  Her first assignment from her guidance counselor was to fill out an extremely extensive life review questionnaire.  The question that really caught my eye asked, “What is the most significant event in your life to date and how has it affected your development?” (more…)

My teen daughters think the greatest gift of all is a 10 season set of the sitcom “Friends”.  There was a time when they thought the best gift was an American girl doll.   I too have spent quite a few Christmases wishing for a coveted piece of jewelry or a new tech toy. (more…)

“I’ll have chocolate milk,” Channing said sheepishly.  He gave a nervous cough, as if embarrassed for ordering a ‘baby’ drink.  My 15 year old son, now taller and smarter than I am (well, ok, so he’s been smarter for awhile) was embarrassed to order his special treat beverage at this ‘seasonal meal with mom’ (SMM). (more…)

My stepson started first grade today.  My nephew did too.  First grade.  A big deal!  They are on the brink of their long educational journey.

But for me, first grade has always felt like the end of an era.  When my oldest daughter went to first grade, I spent the entire day in tears.  My ‘baby’, who up until that point had spent her days with me, was now in a new environment in which I had less impact.  I felt diminished, replaced, ineffective, afraid. (more…)

My ex-husband recently took my three children on an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime trip to Africa – a wildlife safari in Tanzania.  (How come he never suggested a trip like that when I was married to him?  Oh well . . . I digress . . . ) My 16 year old kept an extremely detailed journal so that she would be able to record and remember every detail.   She allowed me to read it so that I could get a feel for her trip.  So I was sitting next to her, reading, commenting every few pages “Did you really see a baby giraffe with an umbilical cord still attached to its mother?”  “Did a wild zebra really come right up to your tent porch?” when she burst into tears.  “Stop reminding me . . . I miss it so much!” she sobbed.  “Oh honey,” I exclaimed, “You’ve got a case of the post-vacation blues.” (more…)