The other day I found the following post on Yahoo Questions: My 13yo firmly believes he is under absolutely no obligation to do anything my wife or I say, and refuses to do anything he doesn’t feel like doing. Suggestions?
In Search of Humanity by Dr. Monique Derr
I remember, as a child, sitting on a cold, flat boulder, squinting against the sun as it peaked through the leaves above, while writing a story about fairies and magic. Walking barefoot in the dirt, chasing squirrels around tree trunks,
What Are We Doing For Our Children? by Gilda Evans
Recent occurrences in our world have inspired much contemplation and discussion. Personally, they have caused me to recall a time when, years ago, I associate produced a television program titled What Are We Doing to Our Children? The stress of
Life’s Lessons by Francene Stanley
What if you were asked to speak about the most important subjects in a human life? How would you answer? If you were a child, you’d probably say playing gave you the most enjoyment, and you hated to be sick.
Marriage and Adventure by Jane V. Blanchard
For a happy marriage, make your life an adventure As I look back on 42 years of togetherness, one word describes our life: adventure. From the moment we met, we shared kindred spirits of curiosity, adventurousness, and a willingness to
Rekindling Romance in a Relationship by Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku
At the start of a relationship, romance comes naturally. No one needs to be taught. If you are in doubt, you are willing to ask a friend or family member how to show the special person in your life you
Motherhood And Messy Rooms by Mary Ellen Boyd
I’ve always pictured myself as a mother of a big family. Growing up as one of five kids in less than seven years might have predisposed me to think in terms of many children, but I always say I was
What I Wanted to Be When I Grew Up by Miriam Drori
At the age of eight, we had to write a composition (primary-school-speak for essay) titled: What I want to be when I grow up. It probably wasn’t the only time I had to write on that subject, but this is
Carpe Diem – Seize the day! by Carol Hedges
We’ve all heard the expression ‘It’s never too late’. Maybe we’ve read it in some magazine, heading up a piece on somebody who has accomplished incredible things against immeasurable odds. And we’ve nodded and thought good for them, glad I’ve
Early Memories And A Strong Regret By Stewart Bint
As I approach the autumn of my life (well, some would say I’m already there, as I’ll hit 60 in 2016), I find myself thinking back to my childhood and my parents more and more. I hardly had a conventional
The Last Time by G G Collins
How many last times have you experienced? What year did you last believe in Santa Claus? How old were you the last time you played with dolls? When was the last time you said “See you later” to a friend
An Argument for Free-Range Kids by Joe Eliseon
When I was a lad, early on any fine summer morning, I’d strap on my ammo belt with my .45 caliber cap pistol, don my plastic Army helmet, sling my Thompson sub-machine gun with the realistic sound feature over my
When The Light Is On by Paulette Mahurin
When I was in nursing school at UCLA and doing my cancer ward rotations, I was depressed. Not because I was working with cancer patients but because I was depressed. Growing up with mental illness and workaholic parents set that
Mirror Image By Joan Z. Rough
For years I didn’t like looking at myself in mirror. Even though that’s mostly in the past, I still tend to go the same spot during yoga class, where I can’t see my image reflected back at me. When I
Storytelling by Linda Rosendale
I’ve created stories since I was a very young child. As an only child until I was six, most of my time was spent in the company of adults so I often had to entertain myself. I went with my
Mrs. Miller by Sally Cronin
The teacher who taught me the gift of reading and writing. In the September after I was four, I went to school. The Garrison Primary School in Old Portsmouth was a collection of old corrugated iron and wooden huts and
Friendships In Adulthood By Donna Cangelosi
“No man is a failure who has friends.” Do you remember that line from It’s a Wonderful Life? It was the essence of that beautiful movie and a lesson that I try to live by. Last month, I attended the
Our First Kiss by Earl Chinnici
When Gilda Evans asked if I would like to write a guest post, I laughed. What subject could a forty-four year old single man that has been through many failed relationships write on that might interest the readers of “Girl
A Dream Deferred by Daryl Rothman
The inaugural blog on my website acknowledges my being just a few decades tardy in the pursuit of my dream. It also pays homage to the amazing teacher who stirred my literary embers, and who told me on the last
Personal Heroes by Anna Simpson
Have you ever met someone, and wished to be more like her? She was strong, or kind, or brave; and knowing such a woman was out there in the world made our gender sparkle and made the world a better