Menderist shares stories about how people turned difficult moments, days, and situations around. See the menu to choose stories in the categories of Relationships; Health; Work; At Home; and Outside and Around.
Special Issues: Family Mental Health, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorable Gift, Teacher/Educator, Year in Review
A psychiatrist remembers her father’s reaction to an early driving mishap, and reflects on how that response guides her work and parenting today.
“An old family video shows me, around five years of age, crying… frustrated that my toys keep falling off a toy wheelbarrow as I struggle….”
A teacher recalls the memorable day her husband began teaching their son about money skills and budgeting.
My husband bravely became part of our family when the kids were teenagers. Memories of our wedding ceremony always make me chuckle. I picture us….”
How could have the same kind of accident happened to my family twice…within days?
“It’s finally dinner, and I’m already at the table when my youngest daughter joins us. A serving plate sits at the centre, heaped with the bright orangey red of tandoori….”
It was another rainy day in the middle of tax season. And going to the store was just another errand – until the memories returned.
“April was a month of heavy adulthood. Like many parents, I was a cheerleader for a university student who was writing essays. And responsible for ….”
A university student was having the rough kind of grownup morning. How could her parent help turn the day around?
“My daughter’s day didn’t start off well. She’d stayed up late to finish university essays and study for an exam, and only got a few hours of sleep. In the morning she hurried to get ready for the 7:15 am train and realized she was getting a cold….”
Resources to help our children work through the challenges of the past three-plus years
“Mental health organizations report that, linked to the pandemic, children are showing higher levels of anxiety, depression and loneliness….”
Dealing with both insomnia and the three-year anniversary of the pandemic, how can this parent turn the day around?
“I can usually deal with insomnia, but not today. After three nights of poor sleep my body feels like a heavy, water-filled container. When I walk upstairs my legs feel weighted….”
Lessons from a relative who lived with significant physical challenges
“In early January, I went to my cousin’s funeral. Steve died relatively young: he was only in his 60s but experienced lifelong …”
An ordinary drive using Google Maps leads to a surprising discovery.
“Now the holidays are done, it’s time to resume the chores and errands that were put aside. Such as updating financial records for the coming tax season…”
Why do children expect parents to keep up with technology trends? A parent reflects on these daunting expectations, and gets to the root of a recent challenge.
My 20-something children test me in ways I never did my parents. They expect me to keep up with major cultural and technology shifts – to know some trending songs – to recognize popular celebrities. And to have a sense of who’s in, and …
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Every few weeks, people share encouraging essays, anecdotes, and stories about moments that turned their day around.
