Growing Bolder Community

I thought it was all over for me. I had years of personal therapy, the years of training to become a therapist, and the thirty years of being a therapist had surely healed me. But as my patient sat hunched over sobbing and saying the word "powder" I knew the whispers lingered for me as well. This beautiful, accomplished woman poignantly asked: "how can it still hurt after all this time?" For...

Thomas Wolfe wrote "You Can't Go Home Again". On June 4th I challenged that sentiment by attending my 45th high school reunion. The Miami Palmetto High School class of 1965 was once again gathering to remember the days when we were blue and white panthers. I honestly thought I would never ever want to see that group again. High school had been a challenge for the young girl I was back then. Deedra...

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY Money. It seems to be the only thing we hear about these days. Except, of course, reports on the octomom, which is a whole other subject. Money. Personally, I hate the subject. I was raised having to beg for everything and being resented for any need that pertained to my well being. There was always plenty of money for my parents' cigarettes, booze and sleeping pills,...

ONE FOR THE ROAD- In sixth grade we had a police officer come into our classroom and tell us the dangers of drugs and alcohol. It was the first time I had ever heard of drunk driving. In high school drinking was definitely "the norm". My mother made it very clear that if I ever came home drunk that I would, and I quote, "Get my a__ kicked." That was enough to make me think three times before I...

IT IS WITH PLEASURE I INTRODUCE MISHA FINEDOG HUNTER Eight years ago I went into one of those terrible puppy mill places with my daughter "just to look". I was doing great until I saw a little grey ball of fur barely moving. Instinctively I knew this puppy was in trouble. Kristina and I circled around him several times before I forced myself out the door. We had found out...

SING OUT LOUISE- When I was little, I competed in dance competitions. Hair plastered to my head, three costumes changes and make up fit for a queen. My mother was unlike all the other mothers in my dance troupe. My mother was not a "stage-mother." I was 9 the first time one of these moms asked if I wanted Vaseline for my teeth, and rolled her eyes at me when I politely declined. One year, a mother...

BABY GIRL "Remember, you have precious cargo on this trip. I’m trusting you to take care of my daughter". I said those words to a young man who was taking my daughter to Texas for 7 days last Saturday. Would I have said something like that if she were going with a group of girlfriends or other family members? I don't think so. In fact, I know I wouldn't have. Why? The bond between...

PAINT ME A PRETTY PICTURE I had tried to take classes for years but every time I did the memory of that art room from long ago stopped me cold. I knew I had it in me to take advantage of what was offered in other rooms like that but the memories from that old room would soon rope me in and I was once again bound and tied to a terrible time in my childhood. I let this deep yearning and...

Summertime Cinema The first summer movie I remember seeing was "Marjorie Morningstar" staring Natalie Wood and Gene Kelly. My Grandmother and I walked to the little movie house (as it was called) on Main Street in Carmi Illinois, took our seats, and when the screen in front of me came alive my passion for summer movies was born. I remember "Around the World in Eighty Days", "Good...

FOR EVERY SEASON TURN, TURN, TURN My last posting with the Growing Bolder community was...