I moved to Atlanta six years ago for warmer weather and better work-life balance. Cousins of my dad live in a lovely community down here. When I visited, they shared cherished memories of my father, as well as my grandfather, and it was all so comforting. Moving to Atlanta was moving to be closer to … Continue reading A Day with Dad
Tag: grief
Inner Piece: Decluttering a Soul—Hot off the Press!
I recently published my fifth book, entitled, Inner Piece: Decluttering a Soul. It marks the 15th year of my writing, which I began soon after the sudden passing of my father. It is a compilation of essays and poems on mindfulness, school-life balance, work-life balance, and self-care. I started writing more to cope with the … Continue reading Inner Piece: Decluttering a Soul—Hot off the Press!
Sunny Moments on a Solemn Day
Do you ever feel like something occurs for one apparent reason, but really there is another underlying reason? Kind of like the difference between peshat, the literal meaning of a biblical story, and derash, the metaphorical one. One action can occur, holding simlutaneously within multiple levels of meaning. Well yesterday, which was the 16th anniversary … Continue reading Sunny Moments on a Solemn Day
RIP Queen Elizabeth II
I don’t know much about Queen Elizabeth. It seems when people pass, that is when the wellspring of biographical notes pours out. Going forward, I intend to learn more about her and the impact she had. For now, from this more distant vantage point, I can simply say: For someone to have served for 70 … Continue reading RIP Queen Elizabeth II
Tisha B’av: Holding Space for Grief
Last year when I posted about Tisha B'av I was writing frequently and it felt weird to post about Tisha B'av, a Jewish national day of mourning, since it wasn't in line with the rest of my topics, but it still felt relevant and real, so I did. This year, after not blogging for a … Continue reading Tisha B’av: Holding Space for Grief
Squeezing the Life out of the Lemon
This afternoon I was making breaded chicken. Cooking more elaborate recipes is a new coping mechanism developed by pandemic-related stress. Yes, breaded chicken is fancy in my book. I also first made challah last spring, also related to being stuck indoors and needing a pandemic-friendly outlet, as well as a toddler-friendly activity for my daughter. … Continue reading Squeezing the Life out of the Lemon
When Past and Present Collide
I had a dream last night which featured characters from my current life in Atlanta merged with those from my childhood. The Atlanta doctor who delivered my daughter 4 years ago had a house that was a remodeled version of a notable landmark on my childhood bus route in Westchester, NY. There was a last-minute … Continue reading When Past and Present Collide
Religion is an Opiate?
Some people find shelter in religion. A place of safety from the big bad world. Comfort from the chaos. But I find it suffocating. To different degrees, at different points in my life. In the beginning, I didn't even realize consciously how difficult it made my life. One could say, I would have struggled with … Continue reading Religion is an Opiate?
15 Years Ago Today, My Dad
My dad died 15 years ago today. 5 days prior was when I got the call from my mom that he was taken to the Neuro-ICU and the following day, instead of taking my bio midterm I was in the hospital with family discussing how my father had suddenly lost consciousness and incurred a brain … Continue reading 15 Years Ago Today, My Dad
If-Only Child
My uncle told me yesterday that after you have a child, your love for everyone else pales in comparison. His first, and, at the time, only child was taken by a freak volcano accident 21 years ago. I always listen astutely to his thoughts on life, knowing how much wisdom (and, unfortunately, pain) my uncle … Continue reading If-Only Child
Mindful Nuggets 