It is not true that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old; they grow old because they stop pursuing dreams. ― Gabriel García Márquez Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Mandy Carter. There were many, many reasons I enjoyed the meeting, but perhaps the one I am savoring most is that we are…
There are no perfect human beings! Persons can be found who are good, very good indeed, in fact, great. There do in fact exist creators, seers, sages, saints, shakers, and movers…even if they are uncommon and do not come by the dozen. And yet these very same people can at times be boring, irritating, petulant,…
As physical changes and health problems increase as we age, so do some social roles. Whether we like these roles or not, they only feel optional to some people over 60. For many more, these roles are mandates. Increasing numbers of grandparents are expected to be work-day caregivers to their grandchildren. Many working class and…
This week as I write about some of the physical and social effects of aging on community development, I have noted some drop off in reader interest, from an average of 30 or so regulars to maybe eight or 10. I am good with that. I am mostly writing to organize my thoughts about the…
Sex. There. I said it. In the U.S. we have a weird fascination with sex. Why ‘weird?’ Well, it seems to be an all-consuming subject of interest and an impolite subject of discourse. More than 30 years ago, I coined this statement: “Sex? It is dirty, wrong, sinful, and disgusting. Save it for the one…
“Two up and an addict, mix ‘em.” That call can still be heard on warm days in the parking lot of Leon’s, just south of Oklahoma Boulevard on South 27th Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On the warmest days of the year, a short line emerges before the small glass door is opened where orders for…
I recall being in fifth or sixth grade at Saint Gerard’s Catholic School, studying US history with Sister Mary Owen. Everyone loved her. She wasn’t an easy teacher and had high expectations for us all. She was kind and fair. She was talented. I remember sitting in the second seat in the second row from…
I have feared homelessness and have experienced it. I have feared hunger and have experienced it. I have feared abandonment and have experienced it. I have feared unemployment and have experienced it. I have feared poverty and have experienced it. I have feared gay oppression and have experienced it. I have feared age oppression and…
After years of empathizing, I have generally found that the feelings come before the story. Someone will communicate disappointment, sadness, fear. I see it and, if I stand as witness, a story will follow. I can generally trust those feelings when they show up. I have also noticed that I cannot always trust the story.…
Is someone out there teaching empathy? Some days it seems like there is. They are even doing a good job in my opinion. Over the past few months I have been feeling grief to a degree that shocks me at times. It has actually reminded me of a heart attack I had four years ago.…
Creating Community for Everyone 