Spend enough time with someone with a broken brain and you might actually learn something. Think of it as addition by subtraction. For example, I’ve learned to appreciate that for individuals living with dementia and severe memory loss the mantra…
REPOST [8-14-18] — This essay recounting a very personal student assignment was first posted on the Humble Sky blog a couple of years ago. It was among the most commented upon. I think all of us wish we had a…
By Stuart Greenbaum “Does she know what she’s having?” Mom asked. “Yes. A girl,” I answered. “Ooh, that’s wonderful! All the other great-grandkids are boys,” she said with a big smile. “That’s right. Everyone is excited for a girl,” I…
The brilliant polemicist Christopher Hitchens (1949-2011), author of multiple bestsellers including god is not Great, is known for his uniquely erudite and witty writing and oratory. The audacity with which he made and debated his points did not suffer fools…
ARCHIVE UPDATE [from 4-17-18] — Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. It is the capacity to interrelate with compassion, concern, consideration. With respect to longevity, it is empathetic to appreciate the aging experience, both…
What in hell is wrong with people? There’s the obvious litany of human flaws and foibles, for sure: greed, selfishness, immorality, hate, racism, sexism, ageism, Xenophobia, et cetera, et cetera. The effects of which produce all sorts of social, national…
“Before you abuse, criticize and accuse, walk a mile in my shoes.” For better or worse, the sentiment in Joe South’s classic folk/rock anthem remains as profound today as it was relevant and prophetic when first released nearly a half-century…
Let it be known, I don’t feel sorry for older adults. I do, however, respect older adults. I admire older adults. And I learn from older adults. But as for being sympathetic to people just because they are old? Nope….
