After much deliberation and at my daughter’s generous invitation, I’ve made my temporary “pandemic move” to LA permanent. My son Michael took on the monumental task of going to my home in Deerfield, IL to pack up a life’s worth of “stuff.” These are the selected treasures that have stayed with me: items inherited from…
It was Fall of 2019 when I posted on Facebook that I didn’t want to move, despite my adult children’s urgings. “My life is here. My friends are here. I don’t want to lose my independence,” I proclaimed. By the following April, my sentiments hadn’t changed. But the world had. On April 3, 2020, my…
Many are the social, emotional, and developmental expectations and impacts of remote learning on children at different ages. JCC Chicago, JCFS Chicago and Grandparents Unleashed hosted a panel about helping grandparents (and parents) understand what their grandchildren are experiencing, to help them enter their grandchild’s world, understand what it’s like for them now and explore…
Grandparents just want to be helpful during these challenging times. But what happens when grandparents live in another city? Or when concerns about COVID prevent meeting in person? How can technology help? This 2nd panel in the Lifelines for a Lifetime series, presented by JCC Chicago, JCFS Chicago and the Grandparent Grandchild Connection program,…
Yep. I am still their Dad. “But, I am 92 and they are in their 60’s,” I think, jabbering to myself. “JEROME,” my wife Margaret, who died 15 years ago, would say right now to get my attention. “You worry too much. They are adults. Let them be.” Sage advice, Margaret. “But I…
I was born March 29, 1928 I am now 92 as of March 29, 2020 Reflecting on the years of my life, they have been both painful and wonderful. I am grateful for the joy. And I realize the pain is reality. I am grateful that I have two adult children who love me and…
We older adults are the most vulnerable to the virus. According to the CDC that’s anyone over 60. I’m well beyond that, at 92 (technically 91 and 51 weeks). We are stuck at home. If we are a widow or widower we may be alone and lonely. As I work on creating these opportunities…
I got a call from my son the psychiatrist. “How do you want to celebrate your death?” he asked. I was surprised. He had never asked this before, even though I am now pushing 92. Apparently, he had a dream that got him thinking. Now that got me thinking. What were the values that…
I am heartbroken. My granddaughter is getting married after living with this wonderful young man for five years. My granddaughter and her fiancé are both 32. I am 91. The past three years they have lived and worked in my city. Every Sunday they would have breakfast with me. I would prepare an agenda for what…
My friend Miriam was recently watching her 10-year-old grandson, when he came to her with a troubled look on his face. “This is getting really mean,” he said. “I think my friend is really upset.” It had started innocently enough, with a group text. Someone had posted a cartoon picture of a…
