Thank You, But No

Thank You, But No

I was raised to be polite and show up anywhere I was invited. And then, even if I had a terrible time, even if they were obnoxious or insulting, I was supposed to reciprocate. I heard that word “reciprocate” so many times, it started to grate on my nerves. Being...
Doing Your Part

Doing Your Part

I was a hippie during the early seventies.Well, somewhat. I didn’t live in a commune. I didn’t take acid every day. Only once in a while. But I was a member of the Vietnam War resistance. We made signs and chanted, “Hell no, we won’t go.” And “Make Love, Not War.” In...
Say It Now

Say It Now

It was 1988 and a friend of mine, Michael, was in the hospital. He had been diagnosed with AIDS and back then, it meant that he wouldn’t be here for much longer. There were no cocktails tofight the virus and the only drug available was reportedly killing people at the...
Getting To Know Me

Getting To Know Me

My mother had a firm opinion about therapy. It was for the weak-minded. She was a member of “the bootstrap generation.” Instead of talking things through, you pulled yourself up by the bootstraps and moved on. You swallowed your feelings and kept busy. Sufferingin...

Just Listen

When in Doubt, Just Listen Last Tuesday afternoon, my friend Michael and I were finishing a four mile walk. I felt really good but when I was approaching my car, the window on the passenger side had been shattered. It looked like someone had struck it with a hammer....
Fellow Travelers

Fellow Travelers

The following is a true story. It’s my first memory: I was five years old and I dreamt I was in the kitchen of my childhood home when I heard a roar that was so loud and terrifying, I put my hands over my ears. A massive lion was pacing at the other end of the room....