Showing 1 - 10 of 299 essays for the category: Featured Essays.
For Jessica Paris, “just say no” is more than a slogan from the 1980s. It’s a credo that gives her the freedom to discover the things she truly wants to experience in life instead of succumbing to the instant gratification pushed by so much marketing.
When she was young, Lauren LeBlanc had grand dreams of living in New York and singing on Broadway. Instead, she became a mom and schoolteacher in suburbia. While it’s not the life she once imagined, LeBlanc now knows she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Like many new mothers, Jeana Lee Tahnk feared she would make mistakes raising her child. Despite her self-questioning, and the endless juggling of childcare duties with her own work responsibilities, Tahnk has found the confidence to trust her instincts. This essay is featured in the book, This I Believe: On Motherhood.
After her mother died, Annie Azzariti and her siblings sorted through the family mementos she had collected over the years. The treasures they found reminded Azzariti of the beautiful life their mother lived, and the depth of her love for her children.
For many people, the middle of America is merely a collection of fly-over states. But Kathryn Timpany believes the prairies, farms and towns of the Great Plains – as well as the people who make their homes there – are the heart and soul of our country.
As a child, Sabrina Dubik learned not to talk to strangers. But in college, she decided to befriend an elderly customer at the restaurant where she worked. The experience taught Dubik the benefits of engaging with random people she encounters in life.
Candance Gordon decided she didn’t want to compete with the Alpha Moms who seemingly accomplish every parenting obligation to perfection. Gordon believes she can contribute to her children’s lives in ways that aren’t as glamorous but just as important.
Although he makes his living with words, poet Fred D'Aguiar is enthralled by dance: from the physicality of the art, to its powers to inspire and heal. D’Aguiar believes dance can be a source for peace, if we all join in and move to the global groove.
Few of us regularly face the kind of life-and-death situations that college sophomore Matt Rizzotti does serving as a part-time EMT. Yet he’s grateful the job allows him to help others, and that it’s taught him to connect more deeply with those he loves.
When Betsy Buchalter Adler gets too absorbed by her legal work, her dog, Ollie, reminds her of what’s truly important: a good, long walk outdoors. Adler believes Ollie helps her live in the moment and embrace the small, unexpected delights in the world.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to our Motherhood Bouquet project to honor the roles mothers play in our lives. Thanks to Steve Ramsay, Margaret Rosenson, michael taylor, Jeanene MacLean, Shari Larson, Joseph Swain, Renee Hudson, Lisa Palczewski, Kristen D. Allaire, Melissa Dinsmore, Elazabeth Van Sant, Bennet Goldstein and Mary Jo Gediman.Sign up here for the free Weekly News or monthly Educator News electronic newsletters.
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