The Thanksgivings by Harriet Maxwell Converse Translated from a traditional Iroquois prayer "We who are here present thank the Great Spirit that we are here to praise Him. We thank Him that He has created men and women, and ordered that these beings shall always…
I remember when the stores closed on Sunday (I was a child, yes), while a few drug stores and gas stations remained open “for an emergency,” my parents said. No emergency ever made its way into our family on Sunday. And now…retailers are whining over…
Each Sunday my husband and I watch the Amazing Race: a reality show with pairs of people who “race” in various places around the world completing tasks. The last team most weeks is eliminated from the competition. At the end, the winner from the final…
Most Americans over the age of 55 remember the news from 50 years ago: President Kennedy was shot and killed in Dallas. I was sitting in Miss Martinson’s third grade classroom. She was wearing a navy blue dress with pearls. Teachers were summoned to the…
This week people all over the country celebrate their new lives: walking down the aisle, making solemn promises with family and friends present and then all those witnesses who have been there before. The real deal. Yes, families all over the country begin new lives…
Eat them. They are good for you and may lower your risk of cancer and death due to heart disease. Seems they will help you stay slimmer, too. While the study cannot prove cause and effect, it does seem to demonstrate a connection. So, grab…
Sometimes I look in my closet and see two items hanging next to each other and think, “A perfect match! Never would have thought of it!” Sunday night CBS aired two segments on 60 Minutes adjacent to each other: The Giving Pledge and The Recyclers:…
Ted Ketcham’s Boomer U story today reminds readers of their view of the world - and who is in it. The invisibility factor presents not just with age, but with disabilities, sexual orientation, gender and other defining qualities. Yes, there is a certain grace that…
San Francisco left its heart with a small child who has already fought a great enemy: leukemia. Miles Scott charmed the city as he “fought” crime and enjoyed the privilege of “saving” the city during his day as his favorite superhero: Batman. Thousands of people…
We know many older adults who are raising their grandchildren, but in our country 1.4 million children are primary caregivers for older adults. Chris Miller, 13, is the primary caregiver for his grandmother who suffers with chronic illness. She has been his guardian for the…
People who are overweight know they are overweight. So when a doctor says simply, “You are overweight and need to lose some pounds,” the words alone are not helpful. Would a doctor say the same for any other diagnosis? “You have cancer, you need to…
While women have worked hard to work hard in the world, a recent poll reveals that more employees still prefer a male boss. Umm, me, too. Only because my best bosses have been men. One amazing female boss, several great men. Thoughts? Experiences?
A young boy who had terminal brain cancer died knowing what some people never know or experience: he is loved. Devin Kohlman knew what he wanted in his last weeks of life: to be home with his family, in his community to celebrate his favorite…
ABC reporter Amy Robach, 40, took the assignment a bit reluctantly: have a mammogram as part of a Good Morning, America segment during October’s breast cancer awareness effort. When the results came back positive for cancer, she was stunned – and shared her reaction on…
We buy poppy flowers and wear them on Veterans Day to remember those who died in war. Where did the tradition originate? What is the story behind the poem? On behalf of our community, thank you to all who have served and continue to serve…
Many of us remember the Viet Nam war and the turbulence and rage that erupted within our country during that time. Many people took out their rage in a despicable way: on some of the veterans who returned from that war. For those of us…
We would see flags displayed on Veterans Day when we were children and knew the day was about “soldiers.” I knew my dad had been a Marine and served in China toward the end of WWII. I have a little jade goat he brought home–…
In a time I call BHE (Before Husband Era), a man who loved me held my hand and said, “Cathy, when you look at me with those big brown eyes, how can I ever say no to you?!” Never mind the man, the context or…
Many baby boomers have spent days in conferences, workshops and endless events learning about leadership. As someone who supervised others for over 20 years, I remember when we were all “shifting our paradigms” and of course, “thinking outside the box.” Never did find the box.…
If you were in a critically compromised health state (you determine what that means), would you choose to discontinue your life? An Indiana man did exactly that after suffering a fall. Tim Bowers, 32, fell out of a tree while hunting, crushing his C3, C4…
Bullying is not limited to grade school playgrounds or high school locker rooms. Apparently, bullies appear in all strata of life – even the NFL. (Seahawks? not tolerated) When will torturing and teasing and intimidation be seen for what those behaviors may really be? Bullying.…
At Mass on Sunday a man came in and sat in the pew ahead of us. He may live on the streets, given his appearance and apparent lack of access to personal hygiene. And he may have mental health issues. I wondered about him, never…
With our country saturated with violence, we can easily become desensitized to the mayhem and evil. At LAX on Friday, another man, with a gun and the determination to kill, took another person’s life. It seems the least we can do is take a moment…
We have all suffered something: loss, disappointment, pain. But Roya Cohen suffered horrible trauma as a young teen: she was sexually assaulted – twice. Now she is taking steps to heal: she is dancing. When Roya heard her dance instructor tell her, “You need to…
All Saints’ Day today: we often think of saints as the officially named people who died as great martyrs centuries ago. But sometimes saints live among us – in the heroic actions of humble people we encounter. Last month Darnell Barton started his day as…
Spokesman-Review features writer Rebecca Nappi, along with writer Catherine Johnston of Olympia, Wash., discuss here issues facing aging boomers, seniors and those experiencing serious illness, dying, death and other forms of loss.
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