Mark Twain famously said, “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” I am neither the writer nor the wit that Twain was (is anyone?), but I share his appreciation for the power of language.
I have been described as a “lumper, not a splitter,” as I find connections and similarities among seemingly different things. I’m infinitely curious. I believe it is never too late to follow a dream. My goal is for those things to come through in my work and words. You can read some of my published works on this page or click on a category and explore all.
Just as birth doulas coach, comfort, and offer companionship to the expectant mother, death doulas do the same for the dying and their loved ones at the opposite end of life’s journey. They also help caregivers cope with witnessing and tending to the dying process, and they help prepare caregivers and the dying mentally and emotionally for the end. They also fill a critical gap in end-of-life care.
Whenever my dad left our house for any reason other than for work, we never knew
what he would bring home: a wood lathe, antique clocks, a live goat, colorful fishing
tackle, a gigantic victrola horn—those are among the cornucopia that I recall from my childhood. On occasion, he would return with something truly spectacular like a running Model T Ford.
In this Boston Globe essay, I explore how the seemingly simple act of being present, of bearing witness in the face of impending death may be the most meaningful — and most difficult — thing we can do.
In “The Lost Art of Connecting,” Susan McPherson, a superior “people connector” and CEO of McPherson Strategies, offers sage advice to help us avoid the “out of sight, out of mind” pitfall.
Making a career change is a BIG decision. Making a major career pivot is an even bigger one. You can read my AARP story with insights from career professionals and a couple of people who made a successful transition.
How Music Therapy Helps Children Heal at Westchester’s Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital History and culture are filled with stories about the soothing power of music. In Greek mythology, Orpheus calmed the seas with his lyre. In a biblical account, David played the harp to ease King Saul’s troubled mind. Today, music therapy is used to…
A local HIV treatment and prevention clinic combats both old myths and new complacency to drive down a persistent infection rate.
Is there new light on old history in Yorktown? This story includes original genealogical research of Yorktown’s Underhill family and their connections to abolitionists and possible involvement in the Underground Railroad.
Ballroom dance styles are centuries old, considered both an art and a sport, have been denounced by the Vatican, and can be elegant and graceful as well as sexy and steamy. Discover why ballroom is a passion for people of all ages and why no one truly has two left feet.
“As I describe in the book, 97 percent of people from working-class backgrounds believe that their background affects their work experience, yet this is a subject that most consultants aren’t talking about.”