The Gift of Sight: Miracle on 64th Street

  We all come to times in life when there’s an obstacle we can’t get around. No matter what we do, we can’t find a solution. That’s when sometimes we turn to a higher power. And if we’re lucky, in the quietest, most miraculous way, the answer comes. This happened to my son, Paul. When […]

Read more

Ghosts of Christmas Trees Past

  They still haunt me. I catch glimpses of large Christmas firs in other people’s living rooms, aglow with lights and shiny ornaments. I picture wreaths and bows and poinsettias and give a sigh. That’s what my living room used to look like. But time moved on and our family has gone through three distinct […]

Read more

4 Things I Love About Having a “Cooking Son” (And One Thing I Don’t)

Don’t hate me ladies, but I have the best deal in town. My son Paul loves to cook. And he’s good at it. I, on the other hand, don’t love cooking. In the old days I cursed the sight of the stove each night. Now I sometimes go a week without touching it, thanks to […]

Read more

So, Now That My Kids Are Older, I Don’t Have to Worry… Right?

My son Patrick and his band mates toured the Midwest recently. I followed their progress on Facebook as they drove from Connecticut to Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, and Pennsylvania. In the photos, they’re young, beautiful, and smiling. I cheer along and always click the “heart button” underneath. Patrick’s doing what he loves. So why can’t […]

Read more

The 3 Toughest Lessons of Motherhood

  As a young mom, I assumed everyone was kidding when they said, “Wait till your kids get older. It only gets harder.” I panicked. How much harder can this be? With round-the-clock feedings, diaper changing, and unending “togetherness,” this job was relentless. But as I came to find, they were right. Some of the […]

Read more

Conquering the Saturday Night “Lazy’s”

We all know the feeling. It’s been a long, stressful week. Saturday night has finally arrived. Netflix and comfy clothes beckon. But then an opportunity comes along too good to pass. You decide to go out. And later, you realize you did the right thing. This happened to me recently when my son Patrick gave […]

Read more

5 Things I Don’t Miss About Raising Kids (and 5 Things I Do)

  Raising kids is tough. There are times you think you’ll never survive. But you do. And looking back, you realize it’s one of the best, most life-changing jobs you’ll ever have. Still, certain parts I would never have the stamina to relive… Getting them on the morning bus – Every parent knows this last-minute […]

Read more

8 Things Every Mother with Grown Sons Knows

  PUBLISHED IN THE HUFFINGTON POST, OCTOBER 11, 2017 Moms of boys understand. When your kids are little, you think you’ll never survive the sticky hands, typhoon-force energy, and non-stop “getting into things.” I won’t even go into the teenage years. But then, in what seems an instant, your boys are men. And with that […]

Read more

How Do You Raise Good Men in This Aggressive World?

  PUBLISHED IN THE HUFFINGTON POST, MAY 14, 2017 You know a gentleman when you see him. And I’m not talking Pierce Brosnan in a dinner jacket. I’ve seen scruffy dudes in jeans and beards who were gentlemen. I’ve seen rich guys in expensive suits that could use a refresher course. As a mom of […]

Read more

How To Survive the Summer Family Vacation… When No One’s a Kid Anymore

  You know the feeling. Your family’s going to everyone’s favorite summer spot. In our case, it’s the same house on Cape Cod each year. It’s nice to spend time together, something that’s rare now that the kids are grown. Still, a question lingers — can we survive a week in close proximity? After all, […]

Read more