Oh hello cancer. I thought I kicked you out three years ago but you’re having one of your little side effects pay me a visit to remind me. Suck more time out of my life. Put my plans on hold yet again. I see you, you sneaky bitch but I’m stronger now. I’m prepared for battle....
“Mom. I need to talk to you about something.” Uh oh. Curiosity mingles with dread. Does any parent ever want to hear this sentence?
“I’m going to try out to ...
“Hi Liz. This is Victoria. I’m calling to offer you the position of New Teacher Developer for next year if you’d still be interested.” My whoop of joy may have ...
Sometimes you need to be the one making the effort even if you’re not sure how it will go over. Because here’s the thing about being retired AND moving away: it...
The summer before my sixtieth birthday I had cancer. I lost weight.. a lot of weight. Cancer is scary. Radiation is horrible. But as a person who has consciousl...
“Wow hey Liz! How are you? It’s been so long and you still look good. I see that you’re not on Facebook a lot so here’s my number. Give me a call or text.“
The ‘you still look good’ and ‘here’s my number’ should have been red flags. But I was just so excited to hear from Quincy, my old seventh grade student from 20 years ago through Facebook message. I remembered him as a quiet, good-natured kid. He struggled sometimes due to his mild hearing loss and learning challenges but he worked hard. He was a friend to all, as I recall....
Vax 1 and 2 done. I’m restless. I’m ready to rejoin the world and that means a new gym. Virtual classes had gotten really old about November. I’d come fast out ...
in honor of National Women’s Month-here’s my advice to my younger self: Speak up. Confront. Be assertive/aggressive/rude. Tell Mr. Dees everywhere.. shut the f##k up....
Liz. I don’t know why you insist on making that drive every month. There’s gotta be plenty of good hairdressers down here.” . And so begins my husband’s and my monthly-I won’t call it an argument-more of a debate- about my refusal to give up my every-four-week cut and color appointment on Newbury Street in Boston even though we moved to the Southeastern Connecticut shoreline 3 years ago....
On our 20th anniversary I gave my husband an anniversary card: on the front was an old black and white photograph of a Timex watch. Inside it read “It’s taken a...
So 2 years away from retirement I was being laid off from the mentoring position I’d held for the past 7 years, one of 14 elite, well-trained, experienced educators who mentored first-year teachers during their very rough and tumble rookie season. I would have a job somewhere, yes, but it was up to me to find it. WTF indeed. So I went back to my roots....
“I’m sorry guys but we’re going to have to cut you.”
“What? We’ve been in every production every year.”
“I know. I’m sorry. But our funding has been dimin...
I find myself sighing a lot lately. Big heavy sighs that can’t seem to expunge the helplessness and hopelessness that seem to envelope me more than any other time in my life. I love Autumn. I love the cooler days and nights. I even love the change of time and the early darkness. But everything is so different this year that the things I’ve always embraced I find myself dreading....
“Oh look at her. That’s a nice big side of bacon.” I heard the guys chortle behind me as I walked up the beach walkway. I had tried to avoid walking in front of them in my frayed cut-off jean shorts but somehow I’d failed. And in that way that men felt entitled to comment on a woman’s body...
Have you ever taken Ativan? I’d been given the prescription right after my diagnosis of oral cancer. It takes the edge off of anxiety and calms jangled nerves. “Are you claustrophobic?” was one of the first questions I’d been asked. I am, not to the point where I can’t ride an elevator but I don’t like crowds and hate anything covering my face. That was unfortunate since I had to be fitted......
By now everyone has a post-Covid fantasy: the ‘ I can’t wait to (fill in the blank) when this is all over’. Here’s mine: Cue the lights, raise the curtain, the ...
I honestly thought I was ready. Last Friday was one of those perfect early-summer evenings: sunny, warm-but not too warm- a wisp of a breeze. A perfect night to...
‘Stay in the plank. Stay in the plank. 5-4-3-2-1 and… come down.’
‘Two more miles. One more mile. 300 yards, 200, 100, you made it!’ 5th one this year. On tr...
I can hear you. “Patient is Female. Over 60 . Immuno -suppressed due to complications from arthritis drugs, recurrent pneumonia, lung issues Survival is doubtful. Umm.. no. Next” And so I will be passed over for the ventilator. The fact of the matter is that I’m closer to 70 than 60....
