Columns

How Endless Circles Can Lead to Frustration

“It’s how much?” I asked the salesperson in disbelief. “Six hundred and seventy-three dollars,” he repeated, as if it didn’t sound ridiculous. I was baffled. During the summer before my final year of college, I attempted to go “full adult” and buy my first cellphone. The problem, however, was that…

The Most Important New Year’s Resolution for Caregivers

My vision board was complete! Several years ago, after purchasing an overpriced planner, I stared in triumph at the beautiful mural of New Year’s resolutions: Produce and direct two on-stage productions. Finish my screenplay. Go to the gym four days a week. Lose 30 pounds. Host a book signing. Redecorate…

After Suffering a Crippling Loss, Keep Going

He lost the race. Sure, when he stepped in front of the cameras, the commentators announced all of his victories, how many Olympic medals he possessed, and how he’d been a favorite to win, but there he was, in the pool, not coming in second or even fourth, but seventh.

Why I Fear Sending My Daughter to Slumber Parties

The chatter of various dinner conversations hummed throughout my father’s house. It was Easter weekend, and our traditional dinner for family and friends who were visiting for a local university’s homecoming was in full swing. Guests had come and filled various rooms to enjoy great conversation and food. At the…

We Don’t Know What We Don’t Know — But We Can Learn

“Professor Jones!” my student wailed as she purposely dragged out the vowels in my last name. My level-three screenwriting class had been writing for almost an hour, and until her outburst, it had been relatively silent. I watched as she ceremoniously marched her laptop up to my desk and then…