In the closing paragraph of The Dutiful Daughter’s Guide to Caregiving, I say, “…this is what I know to be true. I really am okay. And you will be, too.”

Since writing the book, I’ve been spending more time exploring what “I’m okay” really means. Well, actually, what “I’m better than okay” really means. A
lot of it focuses on rediscovering who I am after releasing long-held identities as a caregiver, and (yes, I’m that old) as an employee. Big stuff. BIG stuff.

Of course, this will be different for everyone, but, just like caregiving, there are always common threads that run through the experience.
And also just like caregiving, this is a journey made richer by traveling with friends like you who find yourselves on the same road.

So, here’s the plan. We’re going to do some exploring, tap into our creative side, and gather up big handfuls of joy. Along the way, I’ll share my own
low-budget journey of self-discovery, art and writing prompts that go deep, inspiring conversations with women just like us, and tons more goodness.

Of course, there’ll still be lots of support and encouragement for those still walking the caregiver path. You are, and always will be, my
people. Just think of this as a mini-retreat where we open ourselves up to possibility, and embrace the potential for what comes next.

Times Festival of Reading Event

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Everyone’s talking about it – a book on caregiving that’s actually fun to read. I’ll be signing and selling copies of The Dutiful Daughter’s Guide to Caregiving at the Times Festival of Reading this Saturday, October 24th at the University of South Florida’s St Pete campus.  Come visit me at Booth 16. There will be chocolate.

A Library Moment

Our Hillsborough County Public Library system has a special “Share Your Story” feature on their website. My recent childhood trip down memory lane was included. Honestly, I can’t imagine a world without libraries. Can you?

Library Story

Kitchen Table Memories

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Photo Credit: Milkmit (Creative Commons)

As caregivers, we’re so busy putting out fires, and dealing with health care crises that our parents can sometimes feel more like projects to be managed. Here’s to those moments, sometimes few and far between, when we can simply enjoy each other’s company. For my mom and me, it was sitting in the kitchen, sipping coffee, eating lox and bagels, playing Scrabble and laughing over family stories from long ago.   Maybe that’s why this poem by Joy Harjo resonated so deeply. It’s a reminder that lifelong memories can be created in the most ordinary places.

Perhaps The World Ends Here by Joy Harjo

The world begins at a kitchen table. No matter what, we must eat to live.

The gifts of earth are brought and prepared, set on the table. So it has been since creation, and it will go on.

We chase chickens or dogs away from it. Babies teethe at the corners. They scrape their knees under it.

It is here that children are given instructions on what it means to be human. We make men at it, we make women.

At this table we gossip, recall enemies and the ghosts of lovers.

Our dreams drink coffee with us as they put their arms around our children. They laugh with us at our poor falling-down selves and as we put ourselves back together once again at the table.

This table has been a house in the rain, an umbrella in the sun.

Wars have begun and ended at this table. It is a place to hide in the shadow of terror. A place to celebrate the terrible victory.

We have given birth on this table, and have prepared our parents for burial here.

At this table we sing with joy, with sorrow. We pray of suffering and remorse. We give thanks.

Perhaps the world will end at the kitchen table, while we are laughing and crying, eating of the last sweet bite.

Do you have a kitchen table memory? Share it here or just stop by and introduce yourself. You’ll be entered in a drawing on August 31st to receive a free copy of The Dutiful Daughter’s Guide to Caregiving: A Practical Memoir. Winner’s name will be selected using the tool at random.org.

A Library Fantasy

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After doing some research on the first public library in the U.S., it seems that several towns claim that honor – Peterborough New Hampshire, Salisbury CT, Darby PA, Newport RI, to name a few.

Regardless, I’m honored to share that the Hillsborough County Public Library System has just added The Dutiful Daughter’s Guide to Caregiving: A Practical Memoir to their collection!

Growing up, one of my fantasy jobs was  being a page at our local library, and getting to shelve books all day. This is so much better! And as you can see, Addie Jacob is just as excited.

The Perfect Book Launch Party

Signing books and retouching my eyebrows at a “Dutiful Daughter’s Guide to Caregiving” launch party given by some lovely friends, Steve and Janie Miller. This is the perfect book club selection, with a series of questions at the end that are sure to get people talking. Or maybe that will be the wine.

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