Preface March 1992 Despite the fact that the sun had just set, it was extremely hot, and we were exhausted. The flight from New York to Montego Bay, Jamaica, was overall smooth.…
“One’s dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but it can never be taken away unless it is surrendered.”Michael J. Fox Lucky Man Preface July 1985 I slumped back munching…
Preface June 1992 “I just don’t know what to do!” I was crying frantically on the phone to my dear friend and sorority sister from college, Lia. Knowing exactly what to…
Preface September 2006 “C’mon cutie pie! Drink for Mommy”¦!” I held the small, plastic bottle filled with Enfamil to our two-day old daughter’s tiny lips, and pleaded with her. …
Preface October 2004 “C’mon, Ethan, go ahead!”I belted from below, as my nanny Joan stood near him. I had taken the day off of work in order to be home…
Preface May 1986 It was a beautiful Spring day. My friend Donna and I were outside of her parents’ home, sitting in her brother’s (my ex-boyfriend) parked old Cadillac. Despite the…
Preface September 2007 At first, my fears from my own childhood were only about myself. Would they stare? Would they care? Would they whisper? Would they point? …
Preface October, 1997 John and his immediate family were in the car on the way home from his Aunt Marcia’s house. He had just met me briefly the night before in synagogue,…
Preface October 2012 I was floored. “Why in the world would anyone feel compelled to send an insulting e-mail like that?” I had just seen a disgusted tweet from Ellen DeGeneres about…
“Courage is Knowing What Not to Fear” –Plato We all start out so unabashedly unashamed. Whatever makes us unique and special, we regard without concern; we flaunt it without a care. Then we…
Preface July 1974 The summer camp was called, “Indian Acres.” It was a day-camp located near the University of Illinois campus. The main activity was swimming, which, even at the young…
I am grateful to my teeth for the following: #1. Opening Chobani yogurt lids #2. Opening the plastic bag encasing for my cereal #3. Opening my soccer chair outer cover string-pull when I…
Preface July 1989 The water was so cold, it practically stung. But I didn’t mind. Even though it was only minutes after 6am, diving into the pool at Windsor Swim Club in Urbana,…