Author – The Durango Herald

Grief in all its wondrous aspects

A man I loved recently died back in Maine. This man was a major part of my life and that of my kids, and he died way too young at 67. His death has impacted many, especially his daughters an...

DATE: May 1, 2021 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

To go or not to go, that is the question

Getting the two vaccine shots were such momentous occasions for me. As the vaccine went into my arm, I visualized it traveling around in my system and submerging itself into my v...

DATE: Mar 6, 2021 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

End-of-life issues challenging despite the law

A man I’ve known for several years recently chose to use the Medical Aid in Dying/End of Life Options Act to end his life. He was an older man, riddled with illness, a perfect ca...

DATE: Feb 6, 2021 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

Surprising and subtle effects of COVID-19

I was watching “The Crown” the other evening and for a split second thought, “Nobody’s wearing masks, and they’re all gathering too closely together!” It startled me that I’m so used to livi...

DATE: Jan 2, 2021 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

The sweetest gift – from me and to me!

It all just sort of happened. The news that my granddaughter had to begin her high school years online instead of in person devastated me. I remember how fun high school was – the crushes, t...

DATE: Dec 5, 2020 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

Will hope and beauty and being present get us through?

November is the cruelest month. It is the month when people I’ve known and loved have died. The clocks change and now it’s dark at 6. COVID-19 is still rampant with no end in sig...

DATE: Nov 6, 2020 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

The COVID-19 test: Confusion, frustration and gratitude

I had a COVID-19 test! It was negative, so I can breathe a sigh of relief. But the process of deciding to have the test, alerting people I had been with and the never-ending wait for the res...

DATE: Oct 3, 2020 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

What have you learned about yourself during this pandemic?

At one of those BYOB/backyard, socially distanced happy hours, a friend asked the question: “What have you learned about yourself during this pandemic?” I thought it was a brilliant question...

DATE: Sep 4, 2020 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

2020: A season of loss

It truly is a season of loss. Loss of our freedom and casualness to just come and go as we please. It’s a loss of seeing people we love and groups of people we’re used to meeting with. It’s ...

DATE: Aug 1, 2020 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

A rallying cry for our health and the community’s health

Sadly, I fear that we are experiencing another division between us during this pandemic. There is political discord, racial inequity, economic disparity, differences in the care ...

DATE: Jul 4, 2020 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

Can this time of uncertainty lead to transformation?

What if ... we chose to see this virus moment and this people’s revolt as an opening – a moment long enough to see ourselves, see the systems we’ve lived under for so long, and see our cultu...

DATE: Jun 6, 2020 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

COVID-19: Looking at death in the face

During this time of staying in (both in my house and in myself), I’ve come face to face with death. I have not gotten the virus, and I thank my lucky stars for that, but it’s bro...

DATE: May 2, 2020 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging