A chemist, a psychologist and a hairdresser were moving a piano. I am the psychologist in the story. The chemist is my sister’s husband, Bobby, and the hairdresser is Ben, Bobby’s brother. Dispel any stereotypes you have of a male hairdresser. Ben is quite masculine and loves women- so much so, that he has married […]
Author Archives: Michael
Michael Wins the Moth Story Slam!
A Personal Independence Day
The Fourth of July holiday in the United States is a celebration of freedom and autonomy from Great Britain. The declaration of Independence laid not only the foundation of a new nation, but a new concept in the world. It is the turning point in history towards self-rule, not governance ordained by a privileged, elite […]
Chipless Cookies and Other Motherly Love Lessons
Mothering a family of 16 has its unique challenges, to put it mildly. Not only did our mother raise all 14 of us kids, but she even somehow managed to find time to get a master’s degree with 13 of us between the ages of 1 and 18 at home (my youngest sister was not […]
The Human Problem of Medicine
Last year Kelly, the woman to whom I am married, had an emergency appendicitis and appendectomy. She was in the hospital for several days as there were complications. The appendix had ruptured and therefore required immediate and intensive surgery. While the quality of the surgery was excellent and overall care was good (she has made […]
Why Journal?
Seeds of Empathy
In my two-year-old granddaughter, Olivia, I can already see the development of compassion – seeds of empathy. Olivia is often self-centered, as two-year-olds are. Occasionally, though, she will reach out and share a flower, or a block, or a piece of fruit with another. I can already see the development of an understanding of the […]
What’s Wrong With the Pursuit of Happiness – Part 2 (Texas Bar)
Michael continues his “What’s Wrong With the Pursuit of Happiness?” piece in part two. Here is an excerpt and link. Part 2: Meaning is available even when happiness is not. Imagine that you are representing pro bono a 19-year-old client who is seeking asylum. She has fled her home country, a land in which women […]
What’s Wrong With the Pursuit of Happiness (Texas Bar)
Michael has started blogging on the Texas Bar website. His latest post is What’s Wrong With the Pursuit of Happiness? Here is an excerpt and link. Part 1: All emotions are needed to be whole. Since Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence, the words “the pursuit of happiness” have served as a motto for […]
Finding the Invincible Summer
“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.” ~ Albert Camus It is deep in January and the northeast US […]