I wouldn’t change anything except for me, so I did — Everything was fine in my marriage until the last 8 hobbling years. Unfortunately, divorce proceedings started in the 25th year of our union. Once finalized, I told people how I was happily married for 15 years, yet married for a decade more than that. And though I found my response…

Birth, death, jail, and a new look for holidays. — Christmas air. Baking. Levity and love. Crowded dining tables brimming with over-indulgence. Wrapping gifts, keeping secrets. Anticipation. Sins are forgotten if not forgiven and put aside during the magical season. Christmas used to be one of my favorite holidays. And then, one year everything changed, never to return as pure…

I will give him the best gift ever. — Handcuffs and Teddy Bears My heart raced. The familiar drill of family court was scheduled for Valentine’s Day 2018. Expect the unexpected hurdles, and stealth verbal snipers filled with hate, to appear. Each month required our attendance at sessions before the judge, advocates, case workers, and my grandson’s guardian ad litem. The same formal…

Shocked by the worst ending to 2022. — It’s all my mom wanted. It continues to be all she desires. To sit in her recliner and marvel at the beauty of her Christmas tree filled with little white lights, shiny garland, and goofy ornaments from her kids, grands, and greats, crafted for decades. Early December family traditions included…

Today, my hobbling faith in our future was restored instantly. — Today came to end like any other. Or, so I thought. I crawled in on all fours. The idea to stay low, and put my finger to my lips to prevent the school kids from yelling my name and blowing my cover, only yields moderate success. It’s my schtick, though. …

How to better care for others starts with this reminder. — Love is a verb. Action-filled. Being proactive bites me in the arse more frequently than not. Waiting is my kryptonite. Known for my proactive mindset, strength, attention to detail, and ability to pull off compromises may be killing me as we speak. This recent event is a lot, even for…

Can anyone help me understand what we’re allowed to say? — It’s all fun and games until you get blindsided by a stranger. Sucker punched, really. At times, confusion can set in as to why you were targeted by someone who doesn’t know you. At all. Reckless accusations won’t bridge gaps but widen the chasm. It started so innocently. I enjoy…

One troubling mystery still lingers. — Jeez, Louise, my guardian angels deserve a raise. Three separate bizarre happenings on the road could have wiped me out. I loathe driving from Florida to New Jersey, every single time I do it. For the first time, I spread the dreaded trek out over 3 days averaging 6 to…

Is there a secret sauce? — There’s something about November for me as a writer. They’ve become Novembers to remember. Last year, in November of course, my first submission to a newly formed publication, The Authentic Eclectic, by The Celtic Chameleon went viral. My story was published in late October 2021 and 2 weeks later blew…