My dear friend Susan passed awayon a cool, cloudy winter day. Her sister, Linda, just phoned me.We knew one day this would be. For a long time Sue was very illeven when doctors gave her pills. Many times we spoke by phoneor I would visit Sue at home. Always, we […]
In my lifetime, I have had four last names. Perhaps you are wondering how this is possible. Well, here’s my story: Berman I was born a Berman. This seems like a pretty simple name. However, would you believe there were people who pronounced it “Beerman?” Why would they think that? […]
A woman of valor who can find? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts in her, And he has no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:10–31 How many of us have […]
“Downy Ocean, hon” is about a three-hour drive from Baltimore. It was a tradition, and maybe still is, for many Marylanders. “Baltimorons” annually make the pilgrimage. That was not the case for my family. Although we liked going to the beach, we did not love Ocean City (apologies) since at the time, for us, […]
To paraphrase an old TV commercial, “I am not a doctor, but I play one on TV.” The first five years of my married life could be titled, “I was not in the Army but was married to an Army Chaplain.” My husband, Captain Howard Graber, had enlisted in the […]
Being a Good Friend “Oh, please,” Ruthie begged. “I don’t know, Ruthie, I’m dating Bob, and I’m not really interested in meeting anyone new.” “Well, it’s not as if you’re gonna marry Bob. Com’on. I’m really in a man dearth. Besides, I haven’t seen you in weeks. It’ll be fun.” […]
“Bah, humbug!” exclaims Ebenezer Scrooge, in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Move over, Ebenezer, because I’m on your side! It’s not that I have anything against Christmas. After all, my parents drove us kids down Eastern Avenue in Baltimore to see the beautiful lights on display in the neighborhood windows. […]
The crows come in winterCongregate in my treetops.Their cawing is quite annoyingThey don’t know when to stop. They land on our roofEach morning so early.Their claws dance on the shingles.Their demeanor is too surly. They dig in my flowerpotsSpreading dirt everywhere.They do what they wantWithout seeming to care. On trash […]
On the third ring, I realized it was not a dream. Fumbling in the dark, I grabbed the receiver before it could ring another time. “Hello?” “Mrs. Miller?” said a serious but unfamiliar voice. As I struggled from sleep two thoughts collided: What time is it? and This is not […]