Columns

When I was in high school and college, I had a summer job as a landscaper. Like a lot of summer jobs, it felt ordinary at the time. There were hot days, grass stains, and long hours as a young guy trying to make money and do the work in…

As I’ve previously mentioned, my late uncle Brandon loved a good “chill and grill.” He didn’t just grill for fun. He could put together a full Texas-style feast that always seemed to appear out of nowhere. As a kid, I used to wonder how he managed to get ribs,…

After a long day of juggling work and caregiving, I love to relax and unwind with a cozy blanket, curling up on the couch. My husband and I enjoy watching all kinds of TV shows, and this is our time for it. We laugh out loud as we enjoy silly…

On Monday nights, I am always busy on my computer — often working on this column and sending out reminder emails to my Tuesday walking group. I started this group about three years ago, a couple years after I’d had deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease. These emails…

I was his niece, but Uncle Brandon meant much more to me. He felt like a second father. Back then, my dad worked nights as he tried to build his teaching career, so we didn’t see him much. To be honest, there was also an emotional distance. He grew up…

Editor’s note: This column includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org. Internationally, find a suicide prevention helpline…

Caregiving brings a kind of guilt that isn’t about making mistakes. It shows up when you try your best but still wonder if it was enough. I felt that one night with my late Uncle Brandon. He loved the racing drag strip — the sounds, the energy, and being in…

You’re probably familiar with the saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” This usually refers to leaving things alone if they are working smoothly or going well. Essentially, don’t rock the boat. (Anyone remember that song?) I recently heard a conference speaker say something that sounded similar but turned…

I had deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery for Parkinson’s disease in August 2021. I felt it was the best choice for me at that stage of the disease. My tremors were barely controlled by round-the-clock frequent doses of levodopa, and I was exhausted. Parkinson’s News Today describes…

I didn’t expect just how much my relationship with my late uncle Brandon would change over the years. When I was a kid, he was always the one who got everyone going in the morning. I remember us kids staying up too late playing Nintendo, thinking we were sneaky. No…