My friend Keith has been counting the days to his son’s graduation for years. Michael will speak at his graduation from the College of Engineering at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. tomorrow, on Friday, May 19, 2023. On Sunday, he will graduate with the Class of 2023 in a commencement ceremony on the National … Continue reading #withkeith
By Cheryl Hatch Copyright 2021 In early December, I was heading to work when I noticed the pink clouds in the eastern sky. I took a detour to watch the sunrise at Surfer’s End at Sachuest Beach. I spot a small, freshly-cut Christmas tree hunkered in the sand near the sea wall, tucked in near … Continue reading A Beach, A Tree, Some Comfort and Joy
My cousin sent me a text a few days ago to tell me her mother, my aunt, was in the hospital. She sent an update later. Her mother would be moved to compassionate care. “We are not going to win this one.” I immediately began searching my memories. When was the last time I’d seen … Continue reading Suddenly, it’s the last time
Last week, I showed up at the cove to swim. One fellow swimmer was there. We stood on the higher ground and surveyed the situation: we couldn’t see anything but fog. We couldn’t see any of our usual markers: not our first stop, the blue boat on the far side of the cove, none of … Continue reading In the fog
Near the end of January, I checked the weather. It was freezing. With the ripping northeast wind, the temperature was 13 degrees. There was a small craft advisory. That wind direction meant there’d be impressive chop in the small cove. Perfect day of a swim. And not. We decided to meet at the cove and … Continue reading United We Swim
Last month, after the inauguration of our new president and vice president, I wrote President and Dr. Biden a letter. I posted it in an envelope I addressed by hand and hand-selected the stamp. I once worked as a summer congressional intern, answering constituents’ mail, so I know mailing a letter to the president and … Continue reading Dear President and Dr. Biden
(Note: the quotes in this piece are from a transcription of an interview with Sgt. Rob Taylor in Khenjekak, Afghanistan, C. Co. on February 2012. Sgt. Rob Taylor. Born Neville, NJ. August 1, 1981.) This time last year I was heading for a two-day interview at Syracuse University. On the drive through western Massachusetts, I got … Continue reading Remembering Rob Taylor
I found this little card this morning. A drawing of a tiny boat being tossed on high curly waves, teetering atop the tallest crest, heading into a horizon with a low, dark cloud looming, tucked in the upper left corner of the frame. It has two simple words etched at the base of that middle, … Continue reading have faith
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