"If you could have dinner with a person who has died, who would it be?" My reply to this popular icebreaker is always - Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the modern hospice movement. In every photo I have seen of Cicely Saunders, she looks like the church lady from Saturday Night Live. But while Cicely … Continue reading MEET MY GIRL – DAME CICELY SAUNDERS
Yesterday I saw a meme that said "2022 is like that ex-boyfriend you took back for a third time because he said he changed." I enjoyed a burst of laughter because I relate to that statement in more ways than I choose to get into at this time. This quip was still on my mind … Continue reading CUPCAKE STORY: a personal account of unraveling in a boutique bakery
Silver-linings are defined as "a sign of hope in an unfortunate or gloomy situation." The Covid-19 pandemic has certainly been a long and relentlessly gloomy situation. Many conversations with my community throughout this pandemic have been about experiences that are grievous and weary-making. But I have also shared sweet moments at work and around my … Continue reading PANDEMIC SILVER-LININGS
Our Saturday morning breakfast. It was delicious and my family started eating it before I had a chance to get a photo of the complete loaf. ingredients: BREAD 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon baking soda3/4 teaspoon kosher salt3 large, very ripe bananas, mashed1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar1/2 cup granulated sugar4 tablespoons … Continue reading BANANA BREAD with SALTED PEANUT STREUSEL
I wrote this piece a few months ago at the request of my dear friend and colleague. Maamoon is a Muslim, Iraqi who was a teenager living in Baghdad during the wartime conflicts from 2003-2007 when he fled to the United Arab Emirates. He is someone I am fortunate to have met through hospice work, … Continue reading MY LUCKY COUSIN