My son-in-law, Simon, disappeared on August 9. While he and my daughter were divorced, he was the father of our very first grandchild and he remained always in our thoughts, if not in our lives that frequently. It has been an exasperating and frightening time as we all grappled with the why of his disappearance. …
Author: Carol Ann Heath, Ed.D.
The Clock
Many years ago, maybe in the early 1990s, I self-gifted an oak, chiming clock to match my small home office suite. I have cherished this clock for many years, packing it carefully through three moves since that time. Several months ago, the tic toc pendulum continued to move like a metronome, but the hands of…
Verdant
Each morning the omnipresent email nag delivers the “Word for the Day.” Since the pursuit of learning is a lifelong endeavor and to preserve cognitive function, with a coffee cleared head, I read the word, commit it to memory, and use in a sentence to ensure it remains in my central brain-data repository. Today’s word…
The Doctor’s Office
Sitting here humbled by the process of seeing a doctor, especially a gym, , and always nervous about the physical contact, I hazard a glance around the room. The elderly lady in the wheelchair with wispy hair, zebra roots, and a sunken face, appears relaxed. The young women with long stylish curly natural and fabulous…
Insomnia
It’s late. I don’t want to check because it will make me nervous. I have suffered from insomnia since I was 7 years old. Once one is out of elementary school, this is a useful trait. I could study well into the night. I was able to read many books, mostly for entertainment. As an adult,…
King Lear’s Message: Aging and Children
Raising children, taking care of aging parents, continuing professional education, working in high-level administration of an agency…all have given way to retirement and relocation. Living at the beach has provided beautiful sunrises and sunsets best enjoyed with strong drink. My three children are successful professionals and I have two wonderful grandchildren, one on each coast.…
My Son, The Ironman
Several years ago, my cell phone was ringing and as I glanced at the screen, I saw my son calling. He lived on the West Coast. West Coast calls are an amusing mix of adjusting to the time change and discrepant activities. It was mid-afternoon, mid-week. Normally not a usual time for a casual call from him…As…
A Box of Photos
Sorting and reorganizing life has become a tireless goal filled with another box of souvenirs, envelope of pictures, or notes stuffed in folders. Maybe it is approaching a milestone birthday or maybe clutter in the back closet is finally too bothersome to move around and tidy up. The other day, wandering through piles of pictures…
Discipline and the Perplexed Grandparent
“Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.” Proverbs 13:24 When I was dealing with grandchildren under the age of two, I was knowledgeable, competent, and successful. Feeding, burping, diaper changing… all second hand to this mother of three children. Regrettably, I am humbled and disappointed in…
Symphony in the 21st Century (at the beach)
Living at the beach, access to symphony music is limited usually to Alexa, Pandora, and CDs. Fortunately, the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra has a schedule of Fall Concerts that are available in several settings in the Delmarva area. Planning to attend requires careful strategic activities around calendar, family, and location. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and…
