PART 2 ARTICLE 9 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ This past year, I have lost several close friends and shared in the grief of others who have endured profound losses, including life-threatening diagnoses, the passing of their spouses, or, most heartbreakingly, their children. At my age of 72 and beyond, such losses are expected, yet…
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PART 3 ARTICLE 4 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ Why bother to heal a country, seemingly irreparably damaged? Where does one possibly begin? One person, one issue at a time. Healthcare has been getting worse year by year. I couldn’t bear it 10 years ago when I retired and had been tortured by the obscene…
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PART 2 ARTICLE 7 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ It’s a late September morning, pouring rain, and cold. Stepping into my car after a 20-second walk that drenched me completely, I turned on the heat, settling into the warmth, and was greeted by music — my most constant and beloved companion. In that moment, I…
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PART 1 ARTICLE 16 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ Much like the food pyramid, I’ve devised a “life pyramid” to encompass essential elements: air, water, food, love, purpose, meaning and fun. Why does fun rank so highly on my list? Because it directly impacts our mental and emotional health, making life easier and more joyful.…
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PART 1 ARTICLE 15 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ Amid a diagnosis of autoimmune disease—an unexpected complication tied to the lingering impacts of COVID 19 — I find myself drawn to the memory of a hauntingly beautiful blue cave in Croatia. Unclear as to what I might discover on this mysterious journey, I have concerns,…
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PART 1 ARTICLE 13 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ For three days, I have struggled to find the right words following the funeral of Lindsey, the 30-year-old daughter of my dear friend, Jen. Lindsey’s death from breast cancer has left Jen bearing an unimaginable grief — the loss of her baby girl. Breast cancer is…
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PART 1 ARTICLE 11 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ No, I will not be channeling my inner Robert Frost, though, God knows, it may well morph into some flowery poetic expression by the time I finish. Today, I’m reflecting on those countless moments when I’ve missed my destination exit, only to find myself headed to…
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PART 1 ARTICLE 10 AUDIO FILE IN FOOTER ♫ I hope this piece evokes memories of someone who offered you unconditional love, a true friend who became a hero in your life, shaping who you are today. Reflecting on such a person fills the heart with peace and affirms the incredible healing power of human…
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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 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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