Prayer not pity Our earnest plea Comfort not sadness Our fondest hope Friendship not neglect Our greatest wish God’s good grace Our cherished treasure — © Ron Cooper From “Fran’s Song,” the Alzheimer’s journey of Ron’s mother Continue reading
Latest Entries
Homophone alert: Sound-alike words can trip you up in writing
Its a crying shame how often writers use the wrong word! Oops, I just used “its” instead of the correct word, “it’s.” I’m just trying to see if you are paying attention! Homophones such as “it’s” and “its” are words that are pronounced the same, but have different meanings and spellings. How do you guard … Continue reading
My Journalism Mentor: Jack Howey
What’s it like mentoring a cub reporter? Jack Howey knew. Jack mentored me during my three-year stint as a police and city hall reporter at the Peru, Indiana, Daily Tribune in the 1970s. Jack was managing editor and hired me even though I had a scant two and a half years on a weekly newspaper … Continue reading
Be a supermarket hero: Wear your mask!
Some say they wouldn’t be caught dead wearing a mask in public. Some say it’s an issue of personal freedom. You know, a First Amendment argument. You can’t argue against ignorance, but what if our open-faced neighbors knew that wearing a mask could save the life of their favorite grocery cashier? More than 100 grocery … Continue reading
Aging / Caregiving / Family / Healing / Kindness & Compassion / Love
The Caregiver’s Pledge
I pledge my unwavering devotion to your well-being. I will strive hard to keep you stress-free. I will try to convert chaos to calm on your worst days. I will help you find strength of purpose on your best days. I pledge patience as you express deep-seated fears. I will serve as your confidante and … Continue reading
Aging / Coronavirus / COVID-19 / Friendship / Kindness / Pandemic
Phone chats take us out of isolation — if only for 24 minutes
I had just spent 24 minutes on the phone with my friend, a fellow baby boomer, when I saw the New York Times article on April 9. Americans are phoning in record numbers during this terrible pandemic. My friend had suffered numerous bouts with pneumonia and was cut off from her children and grandchildren to … Continue reading
Author / Cancer / Cancer Survivor / Caregiving / Friendship / Happiness / Healing / Kindness / Remission / Unity
National Cancer Survivors Day: Time to pause, time to celebrate!
My wife/caregiver and I (that’s me under the mask) were part of a caravan of survivors in Louisville, Ky., on National Cancer Survivors Day, June 7, 2020. The Lady Birds cheerleaders greeted us and the mood was festive and fun, with bags of swag and musical entertainment. Cars were festooned with balloons and streamers, and … Continue reading
Aging / Building Harmony / Cancer Survivor / Coronavirus / COVID-19 / Friendship / Generosity / Kindness & Compassion / Social distancing
Thriving with coronavirus: My 7-step purpose plan
Others have returned to work, and I’m still self-isolating during the coronavirus outbreak. No complaints, mind you, because I’ve found ways to stay sane and to stay connected with others. I have a seven-point action plan that has brought fresh purpose to my life, and maybe it will yours. Here goes: Lift others’ spirits. Call … Continue reading
Caregiving / Family / Generosity / Kindness / Love / Matters of the Heart
Tribute to My Caregiver
(Dedicated to family caregivers everywhere!) You see me on my worst days when you sit silently, a gentle presence in a turbulent world. You reach out to me with no expectation for reply. You know that my curtain of silence is not drawn to exclude you, and that soon I will lift it to welcome … Continue reading
Building Harmony / Coronavirus / COVID-19 / Generosity / Kindness / Pandemic / Unity
Coronavirus: Corporate heroes deserve patronage
What do the nation’s airlines and Burger King have in common? They are among the selfless companies helping America in time of need – during the throes of the coronavirus. The airlines, including JetBlue, United and Delta, transported volunteer doctors and nurses free of charge to the worst COVID–19 hot spots in America – New … Continue reading
Cancer / Cancer Survivor / Friendship / Healing / Kindness / Survivor
Thumbs up for Norton Cancer Institute!
Every cancer survivor can recall turning points in their journey, times when others smoothed the way, ironed out the wrinkles and were extremely supportive during a stressful time. I fondly remember receiving a packet in the mail between my diagnosis and surgery in the fall of 2014. It was from Norton Cancer Institute, Louisville, Kentucky. … Continue reading
