PART 1 ARTICLE 9 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ This is a deeply personal and heartbreaking story, but we hope it offers comfort and insight to those impacted by the nightmare of alcoholism. My husband Doug’s journey with alcoholism began in college, eventually leading to a devastating stroke at age 54, 15 years ago. …
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PART 1 ARTICLE 8 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ Nearly 20 years ago, I witnessed my father in the last chapter of his life, finding comfort only in his recliner each night. Watching him, I marveled at the realities of aging — the ways our bodies, worn down by aches, pains, and breathing troubles, change…
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PART 1 ARTICLE 7 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ In my neighborhood, fireworks light up the sky for an entire week surrounding the Fourth of July. I can appreciate the fun and joy in it, and I would never interfere with anyone’s choice to celebrate. Living near the water, I’m fortunate to have a beautiful…
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PART 1 ARTICLE 6 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ As she, the indisputable queen of the mollusks, sits in precious solitude, gracing the beach with her beauty and self-assurance, a jealous yet diverse in-crowd of shellfish, a mere eel-lengths away, murmurs maliciously. The clam, sporting his tight, smug grin, sneers, “Who does she think she…
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PART 1 ARTICLE 5 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ This AI-generated image shows a version of me with smooth skin, no wrinkles, no double chin, and free from dark circles. Playing with AI was fun at first — merging my face onto different bodies, young and old. But this particular image struck a chord. Would…
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PART 1 ARTICLE 4 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ Reflecting on our families of origin, we’re often filled with a mix of love, joy, and cherished childhood memories, and inevitable feelings of disappointment and sorrow. These family dynamics shape us profoundly, leaving deep imprints on our emotional expectations and perspectives on unconditional love. At first,…
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PART 1 ARTICLE 3 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ Who could have predicted that a teenage marriage, lasting only four years, would become one of the most transformative gifts of my life? Al, my first husband, left a legacy of wisdom that changed me forever, and for that, I am deeply grateful. Just yesterday, while…
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PART 1 ARTICLE 2 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ The human body is a marvel beyond imagination. With eyes that see, ears that hear, legs that carry us, and lungs that take in refreshing breaths, the body’s functions are astounding. Eating and drinking nourish and bring daily joy, while the heart tirelessly pumps oxygen to…
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PART 1 ARTICLE 1 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ Lessons Learned from Life as It Is, Not as We Wish It Would Be We all wish for lives of boundless joy, devoid of suffering, filled only with love and light. But life, in truth, encompasses death, love, loss, and every shade in between. Tragedy strikes…
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