Yep. Binge watching “Love is Blind.”

For many years I have said the “Serenity Prayer” --- God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. But, now, five days into sequester because of the corona virus outbreak, I feel the prayer.  I am … Continue reading Collateral Blessings II

When I heard the news of the “war” on the corona virus, I did what I always do when confronted with seemingly insurmountable troubles: I slept. I slept nearly the entire week-end, sequestered at home with my cat, two dogs, husband, food, heat and Wi-Fi. This morning, gratefully, I woke up with my “optimism gene” … Continue reading Collateral Blessings I

Lalique St. Francis I                          Jan’s purple flowered gown has fallen open. I see scars on her breast and the chemo port. Her eyes are open, her breathing shallow. She smiles her twinkly smile. This is Friday, and Jan’s first day in Heartland Hospice. Heartland Hospice is familiar territory to me. I spent many hours here … Continue reading Jan’s Death

Waldheim Cemetery, Chicago...Grandparents buried there...A plot left for me, should I choose it. Twenty years ago or so, I was a member of a Rosh Chodesh (new moon) women’s group that Orlene Schimburg led at Beth Tikvah. Most of us were in our sixties. At one meeting, Orlene asked us to share our major regret. … Continue reading Maybe I don’t want to be Cremated

A well baby I was at one year, too! “You have to see Doctor Sharkis,” Ernest says, shaking me awake. “I’m worried about you. I’ve made you an appointment.” Dr. Sharkis looks at my ears, mouth, eyes. He cups my throat. I choke. He pushes gently on my abdomen. I call out. He touches my … Continue reading I Am Well!!

I am so sick, and getting sicker. Sleeping eighteen-twenty hours a day, getting up to nibble on a cracker, slipping my muumuu over my naked body, dressed to see the doctor. “You have allergies,” says the Doctor Shane, a new doctor who has joined my old Doctor Sharkis’ practice. “Everyone has them,” Doctor Shane says. … Continue reading Dialogue with Dying

Nobody ever told me. Or, maybe I just didn’t notice. But I had no idea that being in my eighties would be so different from being in my seventies. Back then, I wrote several books, drove at night, napped only once a day, and could go on more than one “outing” on any given day. … Continue reading Surprise!