I’m not the most sure-footed person. When I vacation, I love to explore and discover new things but not at the risk of injury or embarrassment. I am on vacation, after all. I know the most exquisite views are sometimes only accessible from a path fraught with peril and
I shudder at the thought of attending improv shows where people get picked out of the audience at random. I’m fine with public speaking as long as I know my topic, have ample opportunity to prepare, and there are no professional tricksters waiting to trip me up for the
When my husband proposed to me, about a month before Christmas, I accepted with one condition. I was a bit old-fashioned and insisted he ask my father’s permission, in person. I wouldn’t even wear the ring until he did. We lived five-hundred miles away from our families at
The tree twinkles, the mantel sits proudly adorned, the cookies tease our tastebuds, and the brightly wrapped gifts fill us with anticipation. Exit to the other side of the doorknob for an entirely different experience. Every year, my husband painstakingly and persistently attempts to make the outside of the house
My youngest child’s sweet smile and faintly freckled ceramic doll complexion disarms people and makes her appear inviting on the approach. But, mess with her product or service quality expectations, and you can say good-bye to Meghan’s delightful side. Mobile providers were among the first to experience Meghan’
I dreaded high school, where I’d have to start at the bottom of the coolness ladder. Not that I was a cool kid in elementary school but at least in Grade 8 I was amongst the kings and queens of the castle. After hearing about tricks the older kids
I’ve never been one to make a scene in public and I avoid conflict even if I end up lying awake at night, replaying a conversation in my head and imagining an ending where I spoke my mind. I always thought being Italian meant I should be feisty but
My husband and I sent our youngest off to university 500 miles from home and two hours west of Toronto, with the typical parental concerns about her living on her own. Would she be homesick? Would she eat properly? Would she be safe? As much as Meghan relished the prospect
Our house was known as the gathering place. When the kids were growing up, my husband and I welcomed the opportunity to host. I tended to go overboard when planning special occasions, often enlisting family and friends, who were happy to help things get out of hand. My daughter created
My identity was marked by good grades in school. I was the “brain” as the mean kids would chant when they wanted something to throw at me. My parents, Italian immigrants, expected me to do well and while they didn’t care if I was the best compared to other
Late, as usual. “For the information of passengers travelling to Sault Ste. Marie, this flight is delayed because ….” There was a long pause, which I hoped meant they’d changed their minds. The agent continued, completing her sentence with, “because the plane is not good.” I travelled quite a bit
My father walked me to school on my first day of kindergarten, and in his limited English, introduced me to my teacher, Mrs. Smertes, a gray-haired, severe looking woman with enormous glasses. In Italian, the only language I knew, he assured me I would be fine, reminded me to listen