In spite of the oppressive southern heat of my adopted home state of Maryland, summer became my favorite time of year after I had kids.  My children’s excitement over delicious, carefree summer days free from the rigors of endless sports practices, school events, music lessons and homework was contagious.  ...

I used to weigh 140lbs. I am a 5’8” black woman with broad shoulders and a wide frame yet somehow, when I was in my 20’s, weighed 140lbs and could fit into a size 6, I didn’t think I was thin enough.  WTH?   When I look at pictures of...

Loneliness and isolation were my constant companions when I was a brand new mom.  The US Air Force had recently moved me and my active duty husband into a house that was 30 minutes away from the Air Force base and 4 states away from all of our friends and...

It was my son’s birthday and my entire family, including my 89-year-old mother, had gathered in the kitchen to celebrate the occasion and to enjoy his birthday cake.  I lit the candles and we all sang three full rounds of “Happy Birthday to You” including the “May God Bless You”...

I only have three children, but they are so widely spaced that when the youngest leaves for college, I will have over 30 years of parenting experience under my belt. Yes, over 30 years.  Yes, that is a really long time.  I have a few more years before I reach...

I recently shopped at Walmart for school supplies for my 10th grader.  I went on the very last day of “Tax-Free Week” in my state, so I was concerned that the school supply aisles might be sparse.  When it comes to back-to-school shopping, the early birds get the worm and...