Leaving The Door Open

Keeping it Real Storytelling

Some of The Best of Life’s Stuff

I laughed out loud when I saw the photo of my two-month-old grandson sporting a “New to the Shenanigans” bib. It was a funny concept; almost like a clue to what’s coming. I don’t think anyone can raise a child without facing some “shenanigans” from…
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October 24, 2019

Aging Parent Present Ideas

I saw my first television holiday ad last night. It was for World Market. I’ve also already received a couple of snowy catalogs dotted with…
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October 3, 2019

How Do You Control the Spending Habits of an Aging Parent?

This story begins three years ago, when my then 86-year-old mother Ginny called, quite excited. “Have you seen anything on the news?” “About what exactly…
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September 23, 2019

Figuring Out VA Benefits and an Inheritance: Our Story

In my last story, I shared how my mother Ginny’s best friend had given her an unexpected inheritance gift. She should be receiving that gift…
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September 12, 2019

Reaching Out One Last Time – The Surprise Gift

I remain in a funny place after returning from Ann’s service in Minneapolis. Ann was my mother Ginny’s oldest friend who had recently passed. (Here…
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