My grandparents came to the U.S. from Eastern Europe around the turn of the century. They were called to make a better life for themselves and generations to come.  I grew up knowing that my parents had met at a “party”.  It wasn’t until my early twenties that I learned that it was the Communist…

July 2010. Dearest Maya, I write you from the Hudson Valley, while you’re at one of your favorite places, one that you anticipate going to all year long. Rowe Camp! It was at Rowe last year that your independence soared.  I’m wondering how your experience will be this time. I spoke with you after your…

Our family had an amazing opportunity in traveling to Italy and France in the summer of 2011. While in France, we visited a couple of Chateaux in the Loire Valley.  We were enamored by the architectural centerpiece of the Chateau de Chambord.  It was a “double helix”, two spiral staircases intertwined.  I share this image…

From the time she was a toddler Maya was a regular and enthusiastic audience member at our Hudson River Playback Theatre shows where people are invited to tell their personal stories and see them enacted on the spot. Maya always sat in the front row, always spoke up, always with a huge Maya-smile on her…

July 2001 Dear Maya, What a wondrous time in your life. You are non-stop moving, exploring, always on the go.  You rarely will allow yourself to relax completely.  Precious are the few moments that you’ll rest your head on my shoulder while being held. Maya, you and I have been to Colorado and back. You…

The drive through the fog this morning was a mirror of my life. Truly, unchartered territory.   Layers of gray, uncertain of what lies ahead. Deeply in it; in the thick of it. Feeling what is, and curiously, looking ahead. Will I get there? Where is there?  Will I see clearly again? Creeping along slowly, cautiously,…

February 2010. Dear Maya, I know that so often, I talk of you as a very mature person. You are ever so responsible and empathic; far beyond any nine year old that I have ever met.   I sometimes share that I wished you’d be more like a nine year old (so you could have more…

This entry is about the “seeds” of a very, very special relationship. Maya (and in turn, our entire family), has been most blessed that Maya had another family.  This journal entry is in honor of Maya’s special little sister, Talia.  Talia, you’ve been the world to Maya!  Happy belated birthday.  We love you. August 2006 Dear…

I had been intentionally not making calls from the blue tooth in my car, as in “History”, Maya’s name and number still appeared. On some level, seeing “Maya” appear there, as I’d scroll through the calls, gave me the illusion that I’ve spoken with Maya recently.  It’s been comforting. It was the same impulse inside…

July 2006. Dear Maya, Elated! Completely thrilled!  High!  These are some words to express your experience while you were in the Shapers Hair Salon getting your hair cut for the first time.  You were looking forward to the moment for a long time.  You initiated the idea of having a haircut.  What has been driving…