This past weekend, I returned to Virginia for the first time since Mom died. After a couple of days at her house (will I ever call it my house?), I went to Maryland for a service celebrating the life of the friend who died in mid-March.It was a weekend of mixed and varied emotions – but …
This past week, a remarkable woman named June Callwood died in Toronto. While she enjoyed a successful career, her lasting legacy is that of her social activism. According to the the Library and Archives of Canada, Callwood “found or co-found over 50 social action organizations . . . includ[ing] Digger House, a youth hostel; Nellie’s hostel for women; …
Today is the 27th anniversary of my Dad’s death.From my Dad, I got my thin, straight hair. My huge feet. My low blood pressure.I also got an abiding respect for all humanity, regardless of race or creed or gender or national origin. An eclectic taste in music, from Mozart, to Gilbert & Sullivan, to Glenn …
I’m a feminist, and not ashamed to label myself as such. I remember the earlier days of the feminist movement – the days when we thought the Equal Rights Amendment was a no-brainer, and headed for passage. But my grounding in feminism I can trace back to my childhood.First, I had a remarkable role model …
“Active dying” is a term used in literature about the process of dying at the end stage, the last 48 hours or so. It wasn’t an easy time for either Mom or me, with all due respect to St. Joseph.Mom never lost consciousness, was never in a coma. That doesn’t mean, though, that she was engaging …
I used to be a Roman Catholic. 17 years of Catholic education, from kindergarten through university. Degree in theology from a Jesuit institution. Religious ed teacher, lector, eucharistic minister at various times. I thought I could change the Catholic Church from within, by being a voice of reason.I’m now a proud, active member of the United …
In 1997, I was depressed and floundering in Baltimore. I’d lost a job that I’d only recently started, working for a deeply troubled person. I went back on an informal basis to an old job, but I knew I didn’t want to turn back the clock. I had in mind what my ideal job was, …
A wise friend warned me of certain feelings I’d have after my mother died, and how it would dawn on me that I was now an orphan. I’m now appreciating my friend’s counsel. No matter how old I was, Mom was still Mom. Even into my 50s, she still did motherly things for me, like …
I’ve lived in Canada for 10 years now; Don joined me about 7 years ago. A few years ago, we decided to apply for permanent residency there – similar to a US green card.As welcoming as Canada is to immigrants, we had a few hiccups along the way, and the process has not been easy. …
Mom’s memorial service was today. It was a wonderful event all around, joining family, old friends, new friends, all with a common thread of knowing and loving my Mom. At the service, my cousin read the following letter that was sent to his mother- and father-in-law, a letter in which Dad introduced his new wife …