Because he knew he had to let us find our own way in life — Sometimes I wonder what my father thought as he walked me down the aisle at my first wedding. Did he know that my marriage was doomed? Did he have reservations about my first husband? Was he glad when it ended? I’ll never know his opinions about this because he never…

Then I became fat — When I was growing up, I was skinny. I was always a head taller than anyone my age, including the boys, but I was proud of being thin. It almost made up for being too tall. Everyone in my family was heavy. I flaunted my thinness in front of them…

Ladies, you know where I am coming from! — Some of us have been with our husbands for a long time. In my case, it’s 29 years. After a while, couples fall into a routine. You understand each other. You feel annoyed occasionally, but you learn to roll your eyes and get over it. After all, you do love…

I’m officially a Blue-haired old lady — I am a wife, a mother of two sons, a sister, a daughter, and a retired teacher. I’m finally fulfilling my lifelong dream of writing. I don’t know if I’m any good or not; I know that it brings me joy to tell a story. I keep wondering if anyone…

Declining health and mental ability seem to be the norm these days — Getting older cannot be avoided. One day we are a carefree teen and the next thing we know, we are senior citizens. I still get a little shock when I look in the bathroom mirror. Who is that old(er) lady? I’ve always seen my husband as someone strong and healthy…

How low down can you get? — My last job before I retired was my favorite. I was an elementary school librarian. It was my first elementary school experience; I admit it was a learning curve. I loved reading to the little kids though. It was a totally fun experience. My new co-workers were a little different…

Even the best plans can fall through — Now that our senior years are upon my husband and me, we find ourselves nowhere near where we had hoped to be financially. There are a lot of reasons for this. My husband works in an industry where it’s common to “clean house” when a new boss comes to town…

It just goes to show how unfair this world really is — Before my friend became my friend, she was my student. She was part of my first class of children at my new job teaching at a middle school in my hometown. Back then, all of my students were considered “special needs.” All of those kids grew up to be productive…

No, he wasn’t stealing Big Macs! — Financial advisors! Ya Gotta love em! Or maybe not! So, my husband and I are not exactly rolling in the dough. But, when these postcards kept arriving in the mail advertising the financial services of a local advisor, we took the bait. At the time, we were struggling financially, especially…