A friend texted me the night before the Fourth of July and told me he was watching the ESPN “30 for 30” documentary about Michael Jordan’s season playing baseball for the Birmingham Barons when he heard an “awfully familiar voice.”I texted him back and said, “MJ’s voice is rather distinct – and the other guy, too.”Of course, the other guy was me.The next day, … [Read more...]
A Kind (of) Mother-in-Law
My son, Brother, recently got married and, ahead of the happy day, I was telling everyone about it. Everyone. You’re the total stranger in line behind me at the Pig? I mentioned it. My spin class at the Y knows all about it. So does our mail carrier, people at the nail salon and anyone I’ve worked with in the past six months. When I’d tell people, nearly everyone … [Read more...]
Five Things My Father Taught Me
I lost my dad in 2002. He was a humble man in many regards. At his funeral, it was said by many that he was ahead of his time in fathering. What they meant was that he was an involved dad. My mother did not love the “baby stage” my brother, sister and I went through. She preferred more developed human beings. My dad knew this and stepped up to the plate. … [Read more...]
A Time-Out for Mom
I realized something this month, as I found myself facing all my kids’ culminating end-of-the-year events, including recitals, banquets, graduation, first communion and multiple mother-daughter trips. Though some parents thrive around such busyness, I realized I am not one of them. In fact, it all makes me feel like I’m being buried alive. I therefore become … [Read more...]
Learning to Drive
When I was a teenager, turning 15 meant a summer of learning how to drive a car. Yes, they had already invented cars way back then. Some places called it Drivers Education and some called it Drivers Training. I don’t even think it was optional whether to take it. Here’s how it worked.The “trainers” were almost always school teachers who could earn a little extra money by … [Read more...]