Catherine Gentry
Writer, Teacher, Consultant, Grammar Enthusiast
Writer, Teacher, Consultant, Grammar Enthusiast
I made a new friend yesterday. Her name is Rosemary, and I only met her because she liked my shirt. A pink t-shirt, to be exact, embroidered with the words, “I read banned books.”
“Close your eyes and make a wish
exhale, slow and steady
a little puff of hope.”
“Even when I am silent, my voice can still be heard.”
I miss hugs and conversations over meals shared together, words that let us explore our kindest selves and build others up.
Someone smiled at me today and it felt good. Not just good, but really great.
The first time I felt the sting of discrimination at Princeton, it surprised me. As a woman, I felt welcomed.
“We should all be peacemakers.”
I didn’t want him to be left out by not playing sports, and to be honest, I didn’t want to be left out either.
Rain falls on the cement sidewalk where acorns have begun to sprout in the cracks — New trees that will see more storms
I’ve been through the college application process twice now, and with the recent admissions scandal and its fallout, the pressure and intensity has only increased.
Tie it all up with a bow of generosity of spirit and it’s a gift you can use all year long.
I can’t do it all. And more importantly, I’ve realized: I don’t want to.
“Kids are messy.” I remember my mother telling me that, long ago when I was pregnant with my first daughter, and I didn’t believe her.
It’s posted on Instagram, so it’s official. This weekend, my daughter made the decision about which college she will attend in the fall and clicked “accept.”
Empty nesters tend to leap headfirst into something new, taking on a new job or travel schedule or volunteer position as soon as their child is out the door. The thinking is that being fully occupied can make it hurt a little less. But it won’t.
I’ve been a writer all my life, until one day I wasn’t.
I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately
Maybe it’s not so bad to be nice.
I didn’t really sense the finality of it all until yesterday, when she came in announcing her new job. She was finally going to be a grownup.
I thought it would take longer.
