I’ve found there have been several stages in my life: youth, when I had no idea what I was doing; marriage, when I had no idea what I was doing; several careers, when I had no idea what I was doing; and raising a family, when — well, you get the picture.
For those of you who are familiar with my prior writings, you know that I often like to communicate through humor. But today I’m feeling almost overwhelmingly sad, and I’m trying to channel that energy into something constructive and useful.
To the editor: A letter disturbed me by denigrating a young couple announcing their engagement in the Chronicle. I do not want to take on the Catholics and believe they have every right to believe as they will. But as the old saying goes “your rights end at my chin.” Meaning you can stand up for what you believe until it hurts someone.
On Sept. 3, 2010, my mother, Ethel Pochocki, suffered a stroke and passed away three months later. Since then, I have tried to honor that day annually by doing something special.
We hear from all kinds of sources — the pulpit at church, the songs that we sing, the commercials and ads on the television and in magazines, even from each other – that this time of year is perfect to remember what we are thankful for in our lives. When a loved one is dying, or has died, that gratitude can be a little difficult to find. Finding that piece of gratitude, holding on to it, and then sharing it, is really a perfect way to help a grieving person manage the holidays.
