Preface August 23, 2011 “What was that?” Ethan looked at me, as uncertain as I was. The room unquestionably had begun to shake, and as I peered through the glass window,…
Preface March 1980 “Can I speak to her?” We were back living in Urbana, Illinois and my Dad had just told me he was going to speak LONG DISTANCE to Mike, the…
Preface March 1986 I sat comfortably on my couch in our house in Urbana, IL with my pajamas on and fresh-made popcorn in my (one-fingered) hand. I looked over at my parents…
Preface November 2012 “How do you do it?” I looked up at the gorgeous, blonde, green-eyed woman who had just watched me use a knife and fork while having lunch at a…
Preface January 1980 Staring at the hand outstretched to help me up, I felt cold, clammy and humiliated. I could already feel the ice and moisture seeping through the bottom of my…
“Difficulties break some men but make others.” Nelson Mandela We all start out so unabashedly unashamed. Whatever makes us unique, different, special we regard without concern; we flaunt without a…
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 1984 “Hurry-up grandma! It’s on! It’s on!” Although she lived in New York since I could remember, my maternal grandmother, Ruth, and I would get together to watch…
Preface March 1981 “It’s okay, Meg. Don’t worry about everyone being like that to you. I know the truth.” I was in 6th grade, sitting on the field under a…
FLAUNT /flônt,flänt/ verb 1. “¨display (something) ostentatiously, esp. in order to provoke envy or admiration or to show defiance. Preface May 2003 “First day of school! First day of school! Wake up!…
Preface September 1969 “Will she able to walk?” My father was speaking to the doctor at the University of Illinois hospital in Chicago. My parents were understandably apprehensive. At only…