On Saturday, October 18, 2025, 7 million people stood up and sent a message to our President. It was the largest protest in the county’s history. There was no reported evidence of unlawful behavior, yet we were labeled as terrorists by the administration. I wonder if adding that to my resume would give me aContinue reading “Earning my terrorist title”
Category Archives: Inspiration
Hate is taught
“We are not going to know anyone here tonight.” This was my warning comment to Rich, my husband, known to be a man of few words. Attending these events as a couple allows me to initiate conversations. I can even start one on a 47-second elevator ride. The valet took our car, and we steppedContinue reading “Hate is taught”
Life Lessons in Middle School
There were so many reasons to stay silent. It is easy; your social status remains unchanged, and you still get invited to the party. But at this point in my life, I don’t care if I am asked to those parties. One of the most profound experiences a child can face is the sting ofContinue reading “Life Lessons in Middle School”
Cakes, Coffee, and Kalashnikovs
It was the summer of 2011. My six-hour evening flight was uneventful, allowing me to watch “Bridesmaids” and make last-minute changes to my presentations. The plane hit the runway, and I held onto my seat, bracing myself as the pressure ran through the cabin. Frantic clicks of seat belts releasing cracked through the cabin asContinue reading “Cakes, Coffee, and Kalashnikovs”
One pencil at a time
Graduation Day at Brookdale Community College is the crescendo of accomplishments that occur each May. The excitement, relief, and pride fill the campus, elevating even the most cynical. But my favorite part is the words spoken by those who have fought hard to cross the stage. Their stories, shared with the audience, inspire us toContinue reading “One pencil at a time”
The Summer of 22
Sitting on the deck looking at the scaffolding on Old Barney, I am reminded of the similarities. The 163-year-old structure needed refurbishing, and, in some ways, so did I. The break from my full-time job was the unexpected answer. A girlfriend asked what my favorite part was about not working, and my answer was havingContinue reading “The Summer of 22”
That’s a wrap
While 2021 brought incredible beginnings, 2022 looks like whiplash on steroids. After selling my parents’ home on Long Beach Island, I felt a physical ache. My place of solstice and peace was gone. A random call from a realtor about an area we had never considered and a price that gave us palpitations, we wroteContinue reading “That’s a wrap”
Every ending is a new beginning.
For months I have dreaded this morning. After four decades of hosting multi-family Christmas celebrations, today will be different. My daughters have families of their own, and there is nothing better than spending the morning in PJs watching the kids enjoy their gifts in your own home. Selfishly that is why I began hosting ChristmasContinue reading “Every ending is a new beginning.”
Reflections from 2020
Sitting around Sheila’s kitchen table, she announced, “I am in my final 20”. Care to explain? She shared that as we mature, we realize that our time left on this earth has an end date. This year COVID gave me a gift of reflection, and I am grateful. As I write this, I am sittingContinue reading “Reflections from 2020”
Silver Lining
When we learned that graduation was canceled, we all felt the void. We knew our students earned and deserved a celebration. The concern was short-lived because the Brookdale Community College family began planning to make it happen. Graduation Day was hot, really hot. We didn’t have the speeches, the luncheon, or much of the pompContinue reading “Silver Lining”
foursetsofeyes 