I agree with Patricia Schudy (and the authors of the Eldest Daughter Effect) that oldest daughters are treated differently than oldest sons. While many firstborn traits will be similar (see Dr. Lehman’s books) the specific expectations of an oldest daughter are different than an oldest son. Author Patricia Schudy is a writer and former columnist […]
Are Things Going Well? An Early Day in the Life of a Firstborn Daughter
We had all four windows rolled down in the green tank-like Ford thanks to the summer Florida sun intent on baking us inside. Hot humid air swooshed into the car. Mom steered around the curvy stretch of road towards home as fast as she dared as my sister and two brothers talked and fussed and […]
Vacation Preparations: A Short Story
New bellman Maurice encounters a resourceful guest with a mysterious tote bag. What’s in the bag and who is she? Maurice stood catching his breath at the bell stand and watched the people outside the glass lobby doors. Any minute now one or two or a group of people would enter the lobby corralling baggage […]
Nonfiction Book Review: The Firstborn Advantage by Dr. Kevin Leman
Guess who said the following: “I have offended God and mankind because my work didn’t reach the quality it should have.” No, not me after my last performance evaluation. This quote is from Leonardo da Vinci, who created the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. Oh, and was a genius. And was also a functional […]
Caregiver: Call Me
Call me caregiver. Call me watcher and waiter and sitter and maker of circles of care. Call me at night and at work and at home about transfusions and treatments and transition. Call me medicine giver, aid giver, advice giver taking notes, taking charge, taking the reins by storm. Call me armed with compassion and […]
Nonfiction Book Review: The Eldest Daughter Effect
After Mom died I couldn’t figure out why I was so compelled to take care of her (given our history) – and why I was so conflicted about it at the same time. Since books are my go-to for learning about anything, I searched and found The Eldest Daughter Effect. It provided lots of insight. […]
Nonfiction Book Review: How to Survive the Loss of a Parent
Two days after Dad died in 2010, I did as usual and sought solace in a local bookstore. I knew about Kubler Ross’ stages of grief but bypassed her book for the more targeted How to Survive the Loss of a Parent: A Guide for Adults. The original receipt from that day is still inside. […]
The Top 8 Books I Read When My Life Fell Apart: A Short Somewhat Story
Some years of your life are great. Lots of big things happen – you get a new job, you go on a great vacation, and a new baby is born into the family (not your baby, but still its cool). Other years, a sad thing happens. That was the year your grandmother died. Or that […]