THE SACREDNESS OF TEARS
Washington Irving said, “There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief and unspeakable love.” Around the world, people
ABOUT 9/11
In my new novel, The Wrong Side of Night, 9/11 serves as the backstory. The main character’s father and brother died on that day, with none of their remains ever found. We discover part way through the novel, however, that
WHAT MAKES TRUMP HAPPY
Many years ago, I knew a woman who had escaped an abusive husband. But not before he beat her numerous times, usually where the bruises and abrasions wouldn’t show. She never wore short sleeved or sleeveless tops because her
ABOUT JOE BIDEN
I was hoping this whole thing with Joe Biden’s squishy boundaries would go away quickly. I hoped that women would, in a united front, confirm that while it is not okay for a man to plow into their space with
LIGHTING A CANDLE FOR THE DEAD
Many years ago, I knew a woman who believed in lighting a candle whenever she knew of a life that had ended. Even if it was someone she didn’t know, she felt strongly about the symbolism of lighting the way
VALENTINE’S DAY MASSACRE, 2018
It was 2:19 in the afternoon of Valentine’s Day. The students at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida would be getting out soon. Maybe some of them had plans for Valentine’s Day. Maybe some had exchanged sweet texts
JEFF BEZOS IS SHOWING US HOW TO CONFRONT BULLIES
The headlines are about the billionaire vs. the tabloid. But there is a human story here that we could all learn from. If you were ever bullied in school, or in the workplace, maybe in your neighborhood, consider how it
WHILE HE WAS IN BLACKFACE I WAS IN BIRMINGHAM
The same year Virginia Governor Ralph Northam was posing in blackface (either once or twice, depending on what you believe), four years after Attorney General Mark Herring and his friend donned “wigs and brown makeup” (note to Mr. Herring, it’s
USING THE MEDIA AS A CONFESSIONAL
In my new novel, The Wrong Side of Night, the main character’s brother returns from the dead. Hale Austin was listed as one of the thousands on 9/11 whose remains were never found. When he returns, he is recognized and
THE EMPEROR HAS NO HEART
While 800,000 federal workers are wondering how they are going to stay in their homes, put food on the table, keep their kids in school, while many are lining up at foodbanks or selling belongings so they can put gas