Holocaust survivors ask that history remember their stories. Today, we remember the remarkable life of Yehuda Nir, a psychiatrist and Jewish man who, as a child, escaped certain murder by the Nazis. Nir died on Saturday in his Manhattan home at 84 years old. He…
He was smart, sexy and still a regular guy. James Garner, 86, died in Los Angeles at his home on Saturday. His film and television legacy leaves us with entertainment to remember. Garner starred in more than 50 films. He appeared in comedies, a jederman,…
Flight MH17 shot down over the Ukraine carried people who passionately loved life – and some of those people shared their remarkable skills seeking to cure HIV AIDS. The plane carried world leaders headed for the International AIDS Conference hosted this year in Melbourne. Dutch…
The desire to retain position at the cost of victims continues within the Catholic Church. St. Paul-Minneapolis Archbishop John C. Nienstedt refuses to resign while the scandal surrounding him continues. Former chancellor, Jennifer M. Hasleberger, filed an affidavit claiming while the archbishop was informed of…
The children who are deemed mingi children in Omo Valley, Ethiopia must die. Mingi children are those born out of wedlock, or have their top teeth appear before the bottom teeth or other defined situations are considered mingi; their very lives bring a curse upon…
The Mama Bird arrived late in the season. She feverishly created a nest in our impatiens plant that hangs in a basket outside our front door. And then: we opened the front door. Mama Bird flew at us and squawked wildly. “Settle down!” I implored.…
Spent time with two sweet girls this week – 7 and 10 years old. We talked about the summer and how we are all busy with weddings. I attended two weddings of my husband’s colleagues. One couple now has a blended family with six children.…
A man kills five children in Texas… a woman gets off a subway, pushes a stroller with her toddler in it onto the platform and re-boards the train…children are fleeing violence in Central America and people in Murrieta, Calif. protest their arrival…Enrique rides atop trains,…
I read a lot of nonsense on Facebook, but then this story popped up today. In a world gone mad with adulation for rock stars and Kardashians – ugh – I love reading about people with courage and humility. Sir Nicholas Winton is one man…
Pope Francis met with six victims of sexual assault; people who had trusted clerics, but were victimized through sex crimes. (Why do they call it “sexual abuse”? As though there is some standard of “sexual use” that is acceptable? It is a word thing, I…
On this 4th of July holiday weekend, it is nice to remember the attraction of our country: to live in a land where we are free to worship as we wish, to love whom we love and to explore opportunities we desire. Joe Nocera writes…
The stories are now 75 years old: those Madeline books of our childhood. She was one of 12 little girls, in their lines, leaving a house covered in vines. Madeline is on exhibit in New York at the New York Historical Society. The books, written…
If stories come to you, care for them. And learn to give them away where they are needed. Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive. —Barry Lopez, in Crow and Weasel Our stories help to heal. When we tell our…
The men were teens and believed the new law was enough. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 made it illegal to discriminate against anyone based on race, color, sex or national origin at schools, workplaces, voting booths and “public accommodations.” In 1964, the nine black…
My husband retired yesterday. He is one of 10,000 baby boomers who retire each day in our country. He had 10 people who reported to him and they loved him. At lunch yesterday, a few of the guys started saying numbers “six,” “three.” When my…
Sometimes I read columns or stories for which I have no adequate words –and that is precisely the focus of Joseph Luzzi’s column about his Italian father – bellissima!
An earlier blog posted stories from Ireland about the babies who died at the Catholic-run orphanages – working houses for unmarried, young mothers. Apparently, some of the stories were embellished or misunderstood or misreported. A story from Monday continues the discussion on a sad and…
Murphy was lost for two years – and is finally home. The family dog, Murphy, was lost on a family camping trip in the Tahoe National Forest, but the family never gave up hope of a reunion. Murphy was spotted by a camper earlier this…
My husband retires in one more week. The journey has been looonnnnggg. Mostly, his commute on that freeway has been miserable. Soon, he will commute to the mailbox, golf course and woodworking store, when he likes. We will manage new routines, expectations and activities. I…
We remember him as the sassy, scrambling quarterback of the Chicago Bears. Today, Jim McMahon struggles with dementia and depression – results of his head injuries from football, he says. McMahon is part of a class-action lawsuit against the NFL. The league agreed to a…
Went on our annual parish field trip to Safeco Field to watch the Mariners. Any parishioner who wants to go pays a modest fee for the bus ride and ticket. We leave from the church parking lot and make our way to the 300 level…
The sadness continues as police officers are killed in the line of duty. One of the men killed last week in Las Vegas, Alyn Beck, was buried yesterday. His family and friends gathered to honor his life – his commitment to his family, his service…
I read the Spot books a zillion times to my son when he was little. Spot had birthday parties, meandered and was lost, celebrated Christmas and had an eclectic collection of friends. His marketers also produced fabric with Spot’s image. My son has a pillowcase…
A family has adopted its son’s military dog. Marine staff Sgt. Christopher Diaz was killed in 2011 in Afghanistan. His military dog, Dino, was his constant companion. Diaz’s parents, Salvador and Sandra Diaz, welcomed Dino into their life last week when the dog was discharged…
Sometimes it is nice to read stories from other cultures and learn what their customs and beliefs signify. A wedding between frogs – really? I wonder if the Indian “bride” had her croaking opinion considered in the union – or if it was an arranged…
Spokesman-Review features writer Rebecca Nappi, along with writer Catherine Johnston of Olympia, Wash., discuss here issues facing aging boomers, seniors and those experiencing serious illness, dying, death and other forms of loss.
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