Joyce Reid The Secrets to Making Love Last I’m no relationship expert. But I do have experience. Ron and I celebrated our 63rd wedding anniversary just before he died. When we walked down that aisle on a Sunday afternoon in September 1960, we had no idea what the future would bring. Looking back, I can truthfully say … Read more
I’ve been watching this little guy for several years. He lives in our woodpile and ventures out to sun himself on a warm day, to eat, but most often to fill his pouch with seeds and acorns before scurrying off to add them to his winter stockpile. This little ground squirrel is a hard worker. … Read more
Life is What Happens When You’re Busy Making Other Plans We’ve all heard John Lennon’s words: Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. It’s one of those quotes that sounds wise and a little poetic — until life pulls the rug out from under you. Then it stops sounding like … Read more
A few months ago my daughter presented me with a Smart TV. It is considerably smarter than I am. A few weeks after she set it up, it suddenly stopped working. No picture. No sound. Nothing — no matter how many times I jabbed at the remote. First step: change the batteries. Nothing. Next step: … Read more
I used to think of sixty as old. Yet here I am at eighty-four, wondering where that idea came from. Those of us in our later years are actually the fastest growing segment of the population. We’re not alone in aging — that process started the day everyone was born. We’re just further along the … Read more
Make Kindness Your Daily Practice It Costs Nothing and Changes Everything I know a man who told me something I’ve never forgotten. “Thank you for taking the time to talk with me and say hello whenever you see me,” he said. “Not many people do.” He said it quietly, without drama. But it stopped me … Read more
“When we recall the past, we usually find that it is the simplest things — not the great occasions — that in retrospect give off the greatest glow of happiness.” — Bob Hope Ronald Reagan was speaking to a classroom at the University of California when a student stood and said, “It’s impossible for your … Read more
When Memories Become History We recently marked the anniversary of D-Day with the very few remaining participants — men ranging in age from ninety-nine to over one hundred years old. This will likely be the last commemoration that most of them will be here to share. After that their memories, like those of the men … Read more
A Time of Renewal I just came back from a walk with Grayson — my dog with three paws — and discovered that spring is finally peeking its head out of the snow. Crocuses blooming. Daffodils sprouting. The sky that particular shade of brilliant blue that exists in only a few places in this country, … Read more
Not an Obituary But a Celebration of the Wind Beneath My Wings When Ron Reid, my husband of 63 years died the end of November, I honored his wish to not have an obituary in our local newspaper. He said that no one would remember him. He was wrong. Friends and former colleagues did remember … Read more