Saying Goodbye to Maggie
Yesterday we had to say goodbye to our Maggie. She came into our lives sixteen years ago on Mother’s Day when she walked past our house with one of my…
Read moreWitnessing the Miracle of Life: the Birth of a Grandma
I have a new hat. My first-born, the one who made me a mom, recently made me a Grandma. I’ve spent the past months pondering the miracle of creating life.…
Read moreNew Book Is a Beautiful Love Letter To Mothers Everywhere
So God Made a Mother, the first (because it’s so good there have to be more coming soon) book of compiled essays by Leslie Means, is about, for and written…
Read moreThe Hardest Part of Growing Up Is Dealing With Loss
My uncle, Donald George Hopkins, was born in Scranton on August 9, 1941 and died in Mexico on September 24, 2020. In between, he lived a full and interesting life.…
Read moreWhen Do I Have to Stop Calling You Mommy?
My early memories are filled with images of my mom. I was an only child until the age of 6, and like most moms at the time, she didn’t work…
Read moreSome Birthdays Are Meant to Be Celebrated Forever
I got an email reminder yesterday from an e-card company wanting me to send birthday wishes. This reminder was completely unnecessary; the birthday in question is one that I know…
Read moreOne of the Hardest Things About Parenting Is Letting Go
The closed door makes it easier to forget that there is one less person living under my roof. I should be used to empty rooms by now. I made my…
Read moreLove Is the Foundation for Special Sibling Bond
Guest post by Donna Venturi A week ago today I lost my brother, Lee Bennett Hopkins. Lee was my first male love. He was a big brother to Donald and…
Read moreSavoring the Moments With the “Big Kids”
Nowadays, a few weeks a year have become my “collecting weeks.” With two currently in college, in geographically opposite directions, one an hour and the other five hours away, this…
Read moreThe Teddy Bears Picnic to the Rescue
I just discovered that National Teddy Bear Picnic Day was this week. Though it is unclear when the holiday started, it is celebrated on July 10 and was likely inspired…
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