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It Happened that Thursday
Thursday, October 19, 2017. 3:22 PM. The cheery jingle of an arriving text message caused no alarm. Just another afternoon heading home from campus. Youngest sister checking in. I glance at the phone while the car cools down. Falling below 80 degrees in October is always the hope by Floridians, but jack-o-lanterns turning mushy in Florida heat and humidity is…
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Polish, Postmortem?
Who thinks about toenails, and more specifically, toenail polish, postmortem? Admittedly (0ddly!), I do. What?!? I can see your face, that quizzical look taking over. Let me explain…. About twenty-five years ago, while taking an A & P class in college, I was invited to participate in a visit to the local chiropractic college, where we’d have the opportunity to examine cadavers. First…
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Helping Teens Handle Life. And Death.
Being a high school teacher affords me many opportunities to help teens handle life. And loss. It is at once: enlightening, encouraging, painful, and honest. Emotions are raw, understanding often limited, and nearly all experiences are ‘firsts.’ Sadly, some, like birth and death, become second- and third-time experiences for a few. Being there, with a shoulder, a safe place to cry, or a place to celebrate,…
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If Only I Knew
Death. A dreadful event. “Why did it happen?” they asked yesterday. If only I knew. Navigating daily twists and turns with teens broadens my perspective, tickles my funny bone, sharpens details often overlooked in a chaotic adult world, but in the never-ending ‘tragedies’ teens create, death – a real tragedy – brings pause. And confusion. “Why did it happen?” they ask. And in that brief pause,…
