Tag Archives: personal essay

How are we honoring the memories of those lost on September 11th, 2001?

Early this morning in my kitchen, I stood over the makings of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for my older daughter’s lunch, strawberry jelly dripping from my knife, and took a deep breath. My God, how much more American … Continue reading

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New column: “As fall approaches, find a path and make it yours”

Fall is coming. As we find ourselves busier than ever, I want us to do one thing: To find a path, a trail, a walk down the block, and make it ours. To study the small stuff. To pay attention. … Continue reading

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New column: “What I’m reading and watching this winter: ‘Finding Your Roots’ and more”

Hi, folks. Last week, I mentioned somewhere and to someone that the week had been a doozy. This week heard me say it, and is currently laughing in my face. We are battling influenza, lost gemstones, children staging WWIII instead … Continue reading

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New column: “Solitude can be a gift in today’s busy world”

Cripes, I almost forgot to post my newspaper column today! It’s been a week of random fevers, manic hand-washing, and sickness prevention in my house. This morning I stood in front of my college students and couldn’t even remember what … Continue reading

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New column: “Winter is a time to dream”

Winter is my favorite time to be a writer. As the winter landscape silvers and chills, my mind–and imagination–seem to open that much wider. So this, and more, in my newspaper column this week. To read, click here.

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New column: “My grown-up Christmas wish”

Preparations. I don’t know about y’all, but I am in the midst of them: preparing for the end of the college semester–which means grading papers and projects–and for Christmas, which involves everything you can imagine when you are a woman … Continue reading

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New column: “On Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for the words of others”

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Today, my column is about this wholly American day, how we celebrate, its complications and joys, and what others have had to say about it over the years. I sure hope y’all enjoy it. As for … Continue reading

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New column: “Where were you on September 11th?”

Hi, friends. My column this week is both memory and reminder. Where were you on September 11, 2001? To read, click here.

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New column: “Here’s to the teachers, and here’s to us!”

By far, the bravest thing I do each year in late August is to watch my children walk away from me, and into school. So this week in my column in The Greenville News, I’m raising my glass, so to … Continue reading

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New column: “Soothing place”

Recently, I was lucky enough to spend a week at the beach with my family. Early one morning, my sister and I sat side by side in beach chairs, watching her toddler try her 18-month-old best to eat sand. The … Continue reading

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