When I arrived at Forest Trace to see my dad, I looked everywhere. He didn't have his phone turned on and I walked to his apartment, the clubhouse, the swimming pool, the lobby, I looked everywhere. I called his girlfriend, "do you know where dad is?" "He's listening to a...
24 Hours Without an iPhone?
I was without my iPhone for 24 hours and felt withdrawals. I can't believe how addicted we are to our mobile devices. There was once a time when there were no mobile phones. Today, there are very few payphones. So, without an iPhone or Android for 24 hours, you feel...
#Cousinlove
We go through life self-absorbed. Some of us schedule activities every weekend. While others enjoy staying at home, relaxing while watching TV or reading a book on our Kindles. But, when things happen, you start looking at life differently. Realizing that we are here for a very short time and...
How to Deal with Dementia
How to deal with dementia - Comment below to win a free eye mask! Is your mother, father, grandmother or grandfather repeating him/herself a lot? If so, he/she has a form of dementia. What is Dementia? According to the Alzheimer's Association, "dementia is not a specific disease. It's an overall...
When Your Son/Daughter Graduates
Six years after my daughter graduated from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University with a degree in public relations, my son has reached his milestone, graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in data science. This past weekend brought up a whirlwind of emotions and reflections, emotions many parents experience...
Dressbarn Going Out of Business?
Dressbarn going out of business? About a year ago, my cousin, Mindy, turned me onto Dressbarn. Before that, I had never stepped foot into the place. I thought it was for older women. I didn't think I would like anything there, and besides, the clothes were inexpensive. How good could...
On Charities and Solicitation
The Jane Goodall Institute was the charity that my daughter raised money for when she had her Bat Mitzvah nearly 15 years ago. At a Bat or Bar Mitzvah, a 13-year-old has the opportunity to give "tzedakah," or to make a charitable donation to a worthy cause. At that time,...
Is It Worth Collecting “Chachkas”?
The word "chachka" is a Yiddish word meaning small trinket. Many of us collect something. My mother collected dolls, Lladros, plates, fairies and clowns. My father collected beer steins, miniature cars. They had so much stuff in their house. Is it worth collecting these types of Chachkas? I'm at fault...
The Year of the Pig
When I heard it was the Chinese Year of the Pig, I said to myself, "of course it is..." And, I'll tell you why... When I was living in an apartment in Long Beach, I had purchased a small fake pig made out of wood and placed it in my...
How to Get Your Parent to Move into an Independent Living Facility
For the past few years, my siblings and I have thought about how to get our parent to move to an independent living facility, but couldn't bring ourselves to make the decision. Interestingly, I get a call from my dad. He was at his girlfriend's apartment in Kings Point, Tamarac....