Month: June 2026
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What does it mean to be “another”?
When in English we refer to “another” something, we imply that it is one of a group of things. “Another car in traffic” , “Another person at the party”. “Another tree in the forest”, etc. “Another” implies inherent belonging, even if arbitrary. Labeling someone as just another person in the room leaves out any distinguishing…
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ROM 2026
Getting ready for anOther conference @rom.renewingourminds with some of my favorite people in the world. My kids have grown among these extraordinary humans, welcomed & embraced. They’ve been challenged & inspired to get out of their comfort zone, and I myself have evolved alongside them. The first morning on the Adriatic Sea is a whisper…
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My daughter
Selective & loyal Strong willed and sarcastic She speaks her mind Even as empathy rules her heart I have had a front row seat to her becoming And I know my personality & influence imprinted certain traits I love her wholly & completely Generously & freely She owes me nothing But I feel her generous…
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“oh-wow” the 4 stages of 2026 for J
The best season yet. I catch the drifts, the disconnection, and reconnect easily. We don’t take it personally, and we trust the deep love we share. Is it hard or easy to believe that I have disappointed & frustrated this daughter of mine plenty throughout the last decade? I loved her well and with clear…
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sharing bravely
They chose well for each other. In many ways inspiring me with their maturity and self-awareness, and well as ease in friendships and strong faith. I don’t like giving advice, but as their god parents I have asked for permission to share the things that I wished someone shared with me before I got married.…
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tagging along
Sometimes I think my daughter can compartmentalize better than me. She probably can, as she has fewer boxes to sort. There is this sweet spot of nearly teen, where loyalty and attraction and simplicity meet. Of all the people who expressed an interest in her, she likes only one, in a very nonchalant, relaxed way.…
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Chinteni forest hike
My first hikes were with my grandmother in the field, in Piatra Neam Prim, with a dig on the shoulder. At the same time Conrad went with Boy Scouts (Scouts) in Vermont. And yet our paths crossed, and now we wander together through Transylvania. On the eve of the holiday, we took the time to…
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Be curious
When she comes to me wide eyed, worrying that something is wrong with her feelings, I smile and tell her to slow down & observe her emotions. It may be my saving grace, to have this insatiable hunger to understand, and the difficult-to-manage feelings become tame, as I look at them with wide eyes and…
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End of school year
This school year was as we hoped it would be. Smooth coasting, even with Jackie’s afternoon classes, and a possibly hectic schedule. The individual time I had with each girl was awesome. And I had energy and attention. We set boundaries and we respected them. Jackie continued to play the clarinet at home, nearly daily.…
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Projected belief
Kids become what we believe about them. So the challenge is adjusting our belief and our approach, to shape their character, their behavior, their self awareness. When my kids were annoying, I stopped to notice what exactly bothered me, whether I was the problem, or if I could help shape their behavior. I believed it’s…
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Little humans in our likeness
I did not give birth to my children, but with every conversation and day spent together, we shape their character, values and competence. They accuse me of bias when I use overwhelming words of affirmation, and I praise them, or acknowledge how wonderful they are. But I never say things I don’t mean. Kind words…
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Family hike
It is how we enjoy nature at a slow pace and let our minds unwind. It is how we connect, shoulder to shoulder, and we build endurance, physical and mental. I love the girls resilience and positive attitude even when it’s ridiculously hard to continue to put one foot in front of another. Conrad longs…