As a child growing up in Philadelphia, I counted the seconds until the recess bell rang. Recess meant freedom and talking as loud as you liked. But some days, when I charged out of the cool confines of the thick brick walls of JH Brown School, the heat radiating up from the concrete and tar schoolyard felt as unwelcome as a thick wooly blanket on a hot day. The blistering sun beat relentlessly on the play area—with the exception of one spot. At the very entrance to the school, next to the black wrought iron gate, stood a lone oak tree. What it lacked in company of other trees, it made up for in size. This towering tree thrived in a patch of dirt no more than eight by eight… Continue reading
Monthly Archive for August, 2010
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I’m not sure when I first discovered Morning Glories. If pressed to recall, I believe it was in a silk flower store. I’d never seen natural Morning Glories, but I instantly fell in love with the traditional variety — radiant blue with butter yellow centers.
This year, my love was tested. You see I’m a self-professed vine fanatic. As a child, I drew meandering vines in my notebook when I was supposed to be learning geometry. I decorated countless homemade cards with flowing vines and wondered about a career as a vine artist. (Turns out, there’s not much call for that.)
As a novice gardener, I’ve planted moon vines, cardinal red vines and clematis of varying colors. I’ve even allowed a beautiful “weed vine” to wind around the… Continue reading
Today you can choose from dozens of “reality” T.V. shows that delight in exploiting the seedy side of life. I choose to eat eggs instead – over easy, with toast, fried potatoes and a generous helping of compassion.
Each week, my friends and I stop by Hanne’s Breakfast Nook for a heap of good food and a refresher course in humanity. At first glance, Hanne’s appears to be a cozy, family owned restaurant, with fresh flowers on the table, children’s drawings on the wall and hockey souvenirs declaring an undying loyalty to the Philadelphia Flyers, but in reality, Hanne’s is the perfect place to study the art of being human.
The first clue that Hanne’s is no ordinary eatery is the absence of menus. Ask for any combination… Continue reading
In uncertain times, it’s natural to yearn for simpler days and comforting traditions. This year, the holiday season has an added dimension of nostalgia.
Let me explain.
Turn back the clock to a few decades ago, where a bunch of high-energy nursing students have gathered inside a hospital lobby to celebrate the beginning of Christmas break with some impromptu caroling. They mill around in last minute costumes made from red, green and gold garland, silver tinsel as well as assorted other decorations that, only moments before, had hung on the walls of their dorm.
The group strolled through hospital hallways, singing carols and delighting hospital staff, patients and visitors with their unbridled enthusiasm and outrageous garb.
When the flock of “human Christmas trees” reached a patient… Continue reading
When I think of my father, two images come to mind. The first is of a man whose temper flared at the slightest provocation. Growing up, I loved and feared him with equal measure. The second image is of a peaceful, kind man whose joyful tears, or lip quivering sadness revealed a deep well of tenderness. What transformed the first man into the second was many years of hard fought sobriety.
After eight years of sobriety, my father was diagnosed with lung cancer. At the time, he was living alone in a neighboring state. When my husband and I learned he needed twice daily radiation treatments, we asked my father to move in with us. As a daughter and a nurse, I couldn’t bear to see him go through… Continue reading
