Category Archives: Uncategorized

I was the third child born in my family—the first and only daughter. My parents were thrilled, of course, just as they were when each of my three brothers was born. In my family, the birth of a daughter wasn’t … Continue reading →

Anyone who has ever faced major surgery knows the kinds of anxieties that descend as the hour of surgery approaches. Several years ago, I was a surgical patient feeling those very fears and apprehensions. I was at a teaching hospital, … Continue reading →

One of the most unforgettable memories from my family’s years in England was watching Britain’s Linford Christie run for gold in the men’s 100 meters of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. What made Christie’s race unforgettable in the first place was … Continue reading →

I’m not a fan of war stories. Given a choice, I much prefer to curl up with one of Jane Austen’s classics or dive into a book that is good fodder for my work, than pick up a book about … Continue reading →

In Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women, journalist Geraldine Brooks tells the disturbing story of a Palestinian woman who was the fifth daughter in a family desperate for sons. Her parents named her Tamam (meaning “enough” or … Continue reading →

Even though I know a full year in advance that the Christmas holidays are coming, I am inevitably caught off-guard. Getting behind with Christmas decorating, shopping and baking is one thing. Poor planning for the birth of a child, however, … Continue reading →

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make an ezer[helper] suitable for him.” —Genesis 2:18 Three A.M., and my life was about to change forever. I was wide-awake. No, I wasn’t tossing … Continue reading →