About six weeks ago, I found out I have a fairly significant shoulder injury. The current belief is that it’s a torn labrum, although even after two MRIs, they still aren’t completely certain about the extent of the damage. What…
Watching and listening to the news in front of children isn’t something I gave much thought to over the years. That changed when my third child was born, with a sixteen-year gap between her and my next oldest. One of…
I started writing this piece a couple of years ago and then stopped. At the time, I was not sure how to say what I was feeling without sounding angry, and I did not want anger to be the loudest…
I remember, back around the turn of the century, hearing Wear Sunscreen by Baz Luhrmann. At the time, it felt clever. Insightful, even. I was probably too young to fully understand what it meant, though I had a vague sense…
My mortality is something I have always struggled with, but I did not fully understand it until my mother’s father passed away four years ago, just before the birth of my daughter. His death hit me profoundly. He was the…
For years, I’ve seen the character Bluey on packaging, T-shirts, and just about every children’s product imaginable. So when my daughter asked if she could watch the show, my immediate response was an emphatic “no.” I didn’t want her glued…
Tucked away on Salem Neck, Kiddieland at the Salem Willows has been delighting children since 1880. This charming little amusement area offers a nostalgic collection of small rides that are well maintained and perfect for kids ages 2 to 10.…
When my first son was born, something in me cracked open in the best way. I was overwhelmed with emotion—tears streamed down my face as I held him for the first time. Joy. Awe. The indescribable miracle of this tiny,…
I have so many amazing memories as a dad over the last 19 years. One that I’ve returned to many times is a particular afternoon when Elijah was about five years old. He had the day off from school due…