In the mid 80’s when Dad contracted the HIV virus much was unknown about how to cure oneself. Many were dying. It spread like wildfire in the gay community and was a quick end for most. But for Dad, he was one of the lucky ones. He had been sick, couldn’t seem to shake a cold [...]
Beginning when I was old enough to fly to see Dad on my own, each and every time I visited him he’d guide me to the room I was staying in. On the bed I would find one of his thick velour robes, laid out for me to wear in the morning hours. Each [...]
At 17, I already felt a large tear in my life, in my heart. Dad had been so dear to me, so animated, so gregarious, so loving. Now, in the forefront of my mind he was gay. He was what my friends would label: homo, fag, queer – all negative labels, words used to make [...]
His inhibitions, his spontaneity were what I loved, what made Dad so infectious. Once while Dad was visiting me in Chicago I arrived home from work to find my apartment newly decorated with several tall tropical plants he’d stuffed into a cab, carted from the local Target store. I can see him hailing the taxi, [...]
I think of Dad as I freeze jars of pesto made from my garden to be pulled later for a special holiday dinner. Some of my fondest memories are cooking with Dad in the many kitchens he had over the years. As I go through the ritual of blending fall ready ingredients I think about [...]
The truth is I hid away that my dad was gay. Knowing my dad was gay my feelings were often twisted into knots. I cared deeply for him, my fondest memories being that of a zany guy who had an infectious booming laugh. Later in life I labeled him eccentric, he was amused and proud [...]
I’ve been writing my closeted stories 7 years now. Mapping my dad’s life, how it affected mine, unraveling our complexities. Our journey together began in ’65, almost immediately we embarked on a zig-zagged trek eventually taking us through several states. Maybe the most treasured was when the two of us made our way over seas [...]
This summer I finally mustered the courage to attend my first LGBT brown bag lunch & friends gathering. I hoped to find community and a sense of belonging. My packed lunch was small but like the others included a bit of courage. I entered the room cautious, seated myself in the oval shaped room directly [...]
Back from summer break with kids in Chautauqua, NY, I can’t help but start: What I did on vacation. Highlights include contemporary views on immigration, irrationality, art and politics, a journalism master class, a writing class on ‘place’, and joining a group of folks reflecting on Loss. I took in the documentary, ‘Armor of Light,’ [...]
During the 2008 Obama presidential Campaign I was a stay at home mom, having recently moved to Boulder, CO. My kids were finally settled into our new environment and I found it was time for me to do something that was important to me, so I decided to volunteer for the campaign. I was encouraged [...]
