You may be familiar with the idea of articulating a vision if you come from the corporate world. This concept is also valuable for families. After all, you have many “remote workers” who are connected in some form or another, who love and care about each other, and who are all pursuing their own endeavors.…
Sharing values with my family has always been deeply important to me. Of course, it was important when I was raising my children. But it hits home even more as I watch my grandchildren live through significant life stages and milestones. Witnessing a grandchild transition into adulthood means you have been connected throughout the years.…
“What should I do with all of the term papers your grandchildren sent you when they were in college and high school?” my adult son, Michael, had asked, as he cleaned out my condo for sale in Deerfield, IL. “Send them to me,” I had answered. In my effort to enter my grandchildren’s worlds…
Tuesday, April 27 7:00 pm CDT Free! Registration required to receive Zoom link. Presented by JCC Chicago, JCFS Chicago, and Grandparents Unleashed. The experience of Jewish summer camp has always played an important role in creating a deeper connection to Jewish identity and building relationships for lifelong impact. It’s even more important now as…
“Why did it happen, Deanna?” I recently asked my friend and colleague. I’m 92 and she’s 53 (or at least that’s what I said, and she didn’t correct me.) We’ve known each other and have been working together for only five years. During that time we have come to have deep respect for each other’s…
When I was a young guy about when I was first starting a family, my dream was that I wanted to my own residential camp. Luckily, my wife was very understanding. One summer when our children were still young, I took a job at a private camp in Minnesota as canoe trips director. Margaret…
My granddaughter Jessica was the one who inspired me to write my stories. “What was life like when you were a boy, Grandpa Jerry?” she started asking me last year. “What were some favorite games you played with your friends? What did you spend your allowance on? What were your parents and grandparents like?” As…
My parents took care of me. I lacked for nothing. But Birthdays? They just weren’t a big deal in our house when I was growing up. My early years were a time of family crisis. My mom died when I was only three. I lived with my dad’s sister after that, until I was…
As a grandparent, I talk a lot about passing values from one generation to the next. As one who advocates for a culture of sharing in the family, where everyone’s voice can be heard, I also am realizing lately how important it is to articulate what you stand for. With so much vitriol in…
2018 was a grand year! There were graduations and weddings and birthdays and promotions. So much to celebrate. And it was a scary year. There were concerns about aging and losing my independence. Thankfully, I passed my written driving test and renewed my driver’s license. But that was after flunking it the first time. Over…
