Category: 1960s

Turning 10: A milestone among memories — but hoping she’ll never outgrow her inner child

May 9, 2017

10 years old. Double digits. Whoa. I remember standing in the upstairs hallway of the house I grew up in, contemplating my own 10th birthday. “A decade old,” I told myself. Sounded pretty momentous. Now, the 10th birthday has played itself out once again,  but instead of 1968, it’s 2017. My memory slowly records what … More Turning 10: A milestone among memories — but hoping she’ll never outgrow her inner child

The biggest threat (choose one): Muslim extremists, nuclear attack — or our own guns?

February 16, 2017

It’s deja vu all over again, as Yogi Berra used to say. Howzat? We recently marked the 100th anniversary of the passage and implementation of the Immigration Act of 1917. That’s when we slammed the door on immigrants from the “Asiatic Barred Zone,” a sprawling region that included Saudi Arabia, most of China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Malaysia, … More The biggest threat (choose one): Muslim extremists, nuclear attack — or our own guns?

This year’s Santa Claus: Hoping her beliefs evolve – not vanish

December 19, 2016

To believe, or not to believe. Last year, we wondered if it was the last Christmas for Santa Claus with Young Daughter. It’s bittersweet, since she’s been a fervent believer since she could recognize the jolly old fellow. We’ve watched the Polar Express the past few years, hoping it will ease the transition. I tell … More This year’s Santa Claus: Hoping her beliefs evolve – not vanish

For grown-up and kids, Santa’s true home lies between the manger and the mall — deep in our hearts

December 9, 2014

Last week, we had one of those “Yes, Virginia” moments. Knew it would happen eventually. Standing in the supermarket aisle, she turns to me and asks, “Is Santa Claus real?” I wondered if she intentionally phrased the question that way. It wasn’t the standard believe-don’t believe inquiry. Still, my immediate thought was that this would … More For grown-up and kids, Santa’s true home lies between the manger and the mall — deep in our hearts

When parents do what they have to do to keep the family afloat

September 7, 2014

We didn’t have a lot of money when I was growing up. (Wait — isn’t that what everyone says?) It was a time when Moms stayed at home and Dads earned the paychecks. We had one “previously owned” car. I remember watching my father pull out the back seat and anchor and install seat belts, … More When parents do what they have to do to keep the family afloat