Some pretty good advice — just for you. (Originally published in The Ethel) In my youth, we had already been out of school for a week by the time my birthday arrived on Dec. 28. Very few friends were around. Most of them were busy with their families or away on vacation. When it was my big day…

I am not the plus one. I’m the only one. (Originally published at The Ethel/AARP) A holiday that speaks directly to me is National Singles Day, on Sept. 22. At 66, without an ex-husband, or even a deceased one to memorialize, I’ve flown through life solo. With two brothers and…

I haven’t lived life looking into the mirror much — usually just a passing glance now and then and then a more careful study when I’m trying on clothing to see what fits well together. That’s when I use the full-length mirror. As I mostly don’t wear any makeup only…

What I discovered stunned me. (Originally published in The Ethel from AARP) I’m trying. I’m not giving up. I know I’m on Medicare (just joined) and closer to my death than my birth. I’ve spent more time living alone than being with someone. But I’m working on it. I’m working…

Her style is ageless — and so is she. (Originally published in The Ethel) Seven months shy of her 100th birthday, my mother finally decided to part with her cherished collection of high heels. “Hello, everyone,” she announced to her fans on TikTok, standing next to the boxed display of 50 pairs of shoes. “At 99 years old, I…

(Originally published at The Ethel/AARP) I didn’t expect to be single and childless with 70 only a couple of years away. I thought I’d marry late, in my mid-30s, to my soulmate, and we’d have two children and two fulfilling careers. Love came and went. None of the men I…

My 98-year-old mother wrote this. She has experienced a lot. (Originally published in The Village Sun) Recently I woke up to see on a family thread a prose poem written by my 98-year-old mother. She lives alone in a small home in Florida. I was familiar with what she was…

At 66 Coming to Terms with Embracing the New Me On March 16th, 2020 I went undercover. Coronavirus was unleashed and New York City was struck down by it. Most businesses came to a halt. Several retail stores boarded up their windows and the streets were like a ghost town…

Five Steps That Can Help Lead You To Forgiveness “Look at your stomach and your big ass,” my mother said with disgust, pointing at my belly. That hit me right on. Here comes another. “Who would ever want to marry you?” Is she done? I wanted to flee. Oh no, she’s got help. “Look, it’s Shamu. Shamu, the whale,”…