Be Yourself by Rachel Snyder
The journey of mothering is like no other,
and it’s all too easy to get lost in it.
Right now,
set a conscious intention
to carry every bit of who you are
into your role as a mother.
Promise yourself
that you will embrace your shortcomings
and your missteps
and you will never beat yourself up
for doing the very best you can.
by Cyma Shapiro
Last year, in my Huffington Post Valentine’s Day essay, “The Power of One Helps Make a Whole,” I wrote about how important Valentine’s Day is and how I start thinking about the upcoming holiday soon after the last holiday ends! I explained how I spend several months formulating who I’ll send cards to and who I’ll call/see/meet simply to say “I love you” and express my thanks and gratitude for being in my life. […]
by Marc Parsont
Unlike most sane men, I don’t fear and dread Valentine’s Day. My wife seems to be as much annoyed by the contrivance as I am.
Of course that doesn’t let me off from getting her a card. Her non-observance goes only so far. The card alone, is enough to bring back the cold sweats and reminders of my youth. Who gets a V-card? Who doesn’t get a V-card? […]
n-tahyn] nounOrigins: mid 15th c., “sweetheart chosen on St. Valentine’s Day,” from L.L. Valentinus, the name of two early Italian saints (from L. valentia “strength, capacity”). Choosing a sweetheart on this day originated in the 14th c. as a custom in English and French court circles.
“For this was on seynt Volantynys day Whan euery bryd cometh there to chese his make.” Chaucer, “Parlement of Foules,” c.1381
It is assumed that the date reflected the informal first day of spring in whatever Fr. region invented the custom (many surviving medieval calendars note the start of spring on the 7th or 22nd of February). The custom of sending special cards or letters on this date flourished in England c.1840-1870, declined around the turn of the 20th century, and was revived again in the 1920s. […]
by Maggie Lamond Simone
Courtesy of flashfree.com
Love is never easy. Anybody can tell you that, from the person wondering if he’ll ever find his soul mate, to the long-married couples still facing the daily challenges endemic to living with someone who may or may not share their love of clutter.
Technology has made it much easier in many cases, increasing the opportunities for communication; gone are the days of kissing your spouse goodbye before heading off on a business trip and not speaking for possibly days at a time.
No, today’s world has made it extraordinarily easy to say what we want to say, to whom we want to say it, right now. […]
by Wendy Sue Noah
Dear Reader: This begins the countdown to my most favorite holiday in the world – Valentine’s Day!
Here is the first of seven days of essays designed for the day:
The media permeates us with images of romantic couples, so very happy, with absolutely no problems whatsoever. And, they are going to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a cold refreshing Heineken, because Heineken has linked themselves with love in the air.
As I reach for my cold Heineken, which happens to be one of my favorite beers, I look at my tribe of five with a depth of love I’ve never known before. It’s called Unconditional Love.
[…]
by Michelle Meyer
When I was in kindergarten, “Show and Tell” was one of my favorite things. One day, I brought in pictures of my mother’s youngest brother, Danny. I was so excited about showing them to the class and telling them that my grandmother had a new baby.
The teacher questioned me several times about exactly who gave birth and explained that this child could not possibly be my uncle because “grandmothers don’t have babies.” I stood my ground, insisting that I was not making up a story – these pictures were really of my Uncle Danny, who was just a few weeks old at the time. […]
Hi, Serena – I’m so happy to be interviewing you, today. As my Australian compatriot, I see so many similarities in our midlife experiences, despite being half-a-world away.
Today, I’d like to focus on your wonderful book, Better Late Than Never Baby. Having read all manner of like-minded books, I expected to be reading another “same-old.” But I’m so happy to report that this book is refreshing, informative and so understanding of those women who have chosen new older motherhood/midlife motherhood.
Q: As a new mother @ age 43, you must have had your hands full. Yet you chose to write this book. Please tell our readers a little bit about how and why you did so.
A: When I became pregnant with my first baby at 42 I went looking for pregnancy books written for my age group. Occasionally, I stumbled across a chapter or paragraph dedicated to older mothers, and in several cases bought a book purely for its snippet of relevance. What I really wanted to read was how my older age may impact on my pregnancy, my baby, my body and my life. But finding an up to date book written by a first time later life mother, proved as elusive to me as pregnancy had previously been. […]
by Barbara Herel
“Pulling a Veruca” – that’s what my daughter and I call it when someone whines and pouts like the mink-coated brat, Vercua Salt, from Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. Trouble is, I’m the one doing it these days. You can hear me sing this obnoxious tune every time I look at my worn-out couch: 