For most of my adult life I have lived and worked in predominately white sections of Southern California. Although California is known for its diversity, it is like the rest of the world where neighborhoods are segregated along racial, ethnic or religious lines. As an adult, I chose to break out of segregation and to integrate as my own contribution to ending prejudice in the world. There are upsides to choosing to live this way, but there are also some challenges. This week I’m living with what I call the “Megan Markle Effect”. Continue reading “The Megan Markle Effect”
Active Shooter
I can’t go into a movie theater or a restaurant or my office these days without plotting my immediate escape in preparation for an active shooter. On Wednesday, I sat through my second training on what to do in case there is an active shooter on campus. For the second time, my entire body went ice cold. But this time, I got angry, too. Continue reading “Active Shooter”
Not Just Any Mother’s Day on May 13th
This is not the usual Mother’s Day for me because it falls on May 13 which is also my mother’s birthday. I’m reminded of May 13, 1989. That year, it was also Mother’s Day and my mother’s birthday. I was a mother, but the occasional convergence of my mom’s birthday with Mother’s Day made her the focus of our attention. However, the festivities that day were abruptly interrupted by news that my father had a massive stroke in his office. Yes, he was working that Sunday because for an accountant it was still tax season. That stroke ultimately ended his life. So, 29 years later, on another May 13th Mother’s Day/birthday without my mother, I’m smiling, not crying. Continue reading “Not Just Any Mother’s Day on May 13th”
Reputation Lesson
At a young age I was taught to guard my reputation carefully as it will be the one earthly thing I will take with me to the grave. Others had convinced me that taking care to live a life of high moral character would take care of my reputation. And until recently, I had naively believed that to be true. But over the past week, I learned a harsh life lesson about reputations. I learned that there are times when I will need to defend my reputation against those who are inclined to destroy it. Continue reading “Reputation Lesson”