Jun 86 minLearning Differently or, "The Candyman Can"Once upon a time, I gave birth to a perfect little girl, with big blue eyes and a wide smile. She exuded peace and serenity. A friend of...
May 284 minRemembering on Memorial DayOn Memorial Day, we honor our nation’s fallen. I would like to write about those who gave their lives defending our country. However, I...
May 205 minWhat is Your Purpose?What brings meaning to your life? I am not asking because I have the right answer. I am asking because I want you to have an answer, an...
May 43 minHey Hollywood – Scars Don’t Make You EvilAt the end of a weary work week, I sprawled on the couch ready to watch a movie. I wanted to be entertained by someone else’s problems...
Apr 186 minOn Giving & Receiving Criticism, or, What Dylan SaidI don’t handle criticism well. My gut reaction is usually a torrent of justification, a quick defensive shield. My throat gets hot and my...
Mar 167 minLooking Back, Finding MeaningI didn’t plan to visit my old house. Odd circumstances brought me there. Our friend’s mother died, and her funeral took us surprisingly...
Feb 165 minMy Brother, the Whale, and the DuckMy brother Marc and I were born exactly four years and 51 weeks apart. It was just my birthday, and on February 19th, it would be his. As...
Feb 25 minThe Bottom of the World BubbleRemember people? I’m not talking about your family or close friends. I’m talking humanity, unknown people. Drinking in a bar and talking...
Jan 45 minAngels who leave Christmas treesWhen I was four years old, an angel left me my very own Christmas tree. I lay on a soft twin bed, tucked in the corner of a wood-paneled...
Dec 8, 20215 minA Tough Fall(Part 5 in the series Choosing More Surgery) I spoke to a psychic two weeks before my recent operations. The psychic is a friend, an...
Nov 18, 20214 minHow to Actually Have a Happy Thanksgiving(As currently featured in Psychology Today) Are you excited about Thanksgiving? Are you looking forward to getting together with your...
Oct 27, 20216 minSomewhere Over My Rainbow(s)(Part 4 in the series Choosing More Surgery) I have always loved “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” I identify with Dorothy in The Wizard of...
Oct 13, 20214 minWhy Me? Why Not Me? (This is Part 3 in the series "Choosing More Surgery." See here for Part 1 and here for Part 2) “How are you doing today?” asked my...
Sep 29, 20214 minI Hate Walter: Choosing more surgery (Part II)(For Part I of this series, click here) “You need to make friends with it,” advised my surgeon. She smiled at me, her long straight...
Sep 15, 20215 minBooks that HealWhen I was 28 years old, I briefly dated a surgical resident. Perhaps like all surgeons, he was smart, decisive, and pleased with...
Aug 13, 20216 minYou're Never Too Old to Have a Happy ChildhoodWhen I trained to be a marriage therapist, I learned that “you’re never too old to have a happy childhood.” My teacher, the brilliant...