What I’ve Learned from 13 Motherless, Childless Mother’s DaysMother’s Day Survival Tips for the Motherless and Non-moms, and Those Who Love Them If Mother’s Day is not a joyful time of celebration for you, you are not alone. The weeks leading up to Mother’s Day entail a seemingly endless, all-consuming barrage… May 11 18May 11, 2018Article at No Parents, No Problem - Left Behind, and Living Life
Cause of Death: It’s Complicated“How did your mom die?” It’s a simple question…. If only I had a simple answer. What I wish I could say: “Well, first she stopped breathing I guess, then her heart stopped, then she was dead.” But I know that’s not the type of information people are… Aug 24 17August 24, 2017Article at No Parents, No Problem - Left Behind, and Living Life
Three WordsHow do you put the “fun” in funeral planning? We didn’t do so intentionally, but the day after my mom died, we probably seemed to be having a bit too much fun. Oddly enough, the day after Mom died, my three siblings and I got a serious case of the… Jun 25 16June 25, 2016Article at No Parents, No Problem - Left Behind, and Living Life
Who the Other Me Would BeI used to dread anniversaries such as this, the anniversary of that stormy, frantic, gray day that dad died. Each anniversary reminded me of everything I lost when he left. A piece of me went with him, and it’s one I would never get back. That day,… Mar 11 14March 11, 2014Article at No Parents, No Problem - Left Behind, and Living Life
Who My Father Was— Anne Sexton I came across the above quote by a Pulitzer Prize-winning American writer and poet, and I beg to differ, with all due respect, if I may, as a non-Pulitzer Prize-winning writer. It does matter who my father was. I’ve spent many years … Jul 18 13July 18, 2013Article at No Parents, No Problem - Left Behind, and Living Life
The Best Thing About Summer CampToday is my dad’s birthday. This letter he wrote, that I’ve saved since 1981, is one reason why I find it difficult to throw things away sometimes. Okay, all the time. I worry about discarding some piece of my dad’s life, some memory of him, or of my … Dec 29 12December 29, 2012Article at No Parents, No Problem - Left Behind, and Living Life
The Last Day – Remembering the RainThat’s my dad, looking dapper in his signature bow-tie, working the room at the wedding of a family friend in 1982. The photo is, in many respects, unremarkable. Except that it was taken the day before he died. The bride found the picture of him with … Jul 18 12July 18, 2012Article at No Parents, No Problem - Left Behind, and Living Life
