I may only get a hundred chances to be one. — In a few weeks, I’ll be doing my first triathlon. I’m starting to get a little nervous about it, especially the swim portion. I can swim, but in the 40 years before this summer, I’ve probably swum about 5 times. As a kid, I enjoyed swimming at summer camp; having…

What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. Unless it makes us weaker… — A friend and I were discussing another guy we know, and how he stopped exercising altogether. My friend chalked it up to age. “Let’s face it, we’re all past our prime.” Whoa. Am I past my prime? At face value, what he’s saying seems obvious. We’re hovering around 60, which…

My husband’s death changed something for me. — Many, Many years ago, a friend posed a question: “If you could only give one piece of relationship advice, what would it be?” I knew the answer immediately. “If you feel the urge to pull away from your partner, move closer.” For me, this was almost the essential rule, something…

After all, ‘more is more’ — While putting my kid to bed the other night, he was talking about some “weapons” he’d been working on for the Percy Jackson-themed role playing camp he goes to. He’s really gone overboard with the crazy stuff he’s been creating all summer, using every piece of foam and tape he…

We may not be as fucked up as we think we are. — A recent article in The New York Times about Caeleb Dressel’s return to competitive swimming identified the impact of his mental health journey through his rise, departure and return to sports. The story also discusses Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka and Lydia Jacoby, all of whom have had similar experiences during…

As a species, we’re changing; let’s dance! — The last few years, between the pandemic and parenting, I wasn’t able to get out dancing for Pride, but I made it this year! There’s this outdoor place, an oasis in New York City, with dirt paths and weedy trees. All homegrown and haimish. At some point I took a…

What’s really happening in those school buildings, anyway? — Years ago, I studied with a group developing protocols for helping transgender individuals pursuing gender affirming treatment, mostly adults. I never felt comfortable with that role. …

Halloween is when it all comes together for me. — Two years ago, something changed for me. We were in the middle of COVID anxiety, Halloween was coming up and everyone was trying to figure out how to give our kids the trick or treat experience they spend the whole year dreaming about. Unlimited candy….mmmmmmmm. In our neighborhood, as in…

Searching for comfort in the likeliest of places — Have you ever had a pet? They’re wonderful companions, even the most peculiar ones. They can be loving, though sometimes just their presence is enough to add something magical to our existence. Long ago, my husband and I decided to get a dog. He grew up with dogs and had…