Writing from the Heart: Different isn’t weird
The other night at a small dinner, one of our friends said she had just come back from Charlottesville, where she attended her 20th Dave Matthews concert this year. Someone said, “You traveled 20...
Writing from the Heart: Opposites attract
We've all heard the expression “opposites attract,” and I have to admit that my husband and I are almost the perfect example of that phrase. And it was never more obvious than what happened...
Writing from the Heart: Don’t jinx it
When I got married, my husband wasn't into sports — playing or watching. He didn't know the NBA from the NFL. And I loved that about him. When the men would gather in groups...
Writing from the Heart: Christmas envy
Every year at this time ever since I’ve been a writer, I have written about my Christmas envy. How I wished I could go to my attic or my basement and get out the...
Writing from the Heart: Impermanence
My teacher, Ram Dass, used to tell a story about a guy who had a painting of a sunset. Most of the painting is blah, gray, kind of nothing. But in the right-hand corner,...
Writing from the Heart: Now is the time
Many folks who take my Writing from the Heart workshop say they have been technical or medical writers, and just want to try being creative with their words. Others have said they want to...
Writing from the Heart: And what does she do?
Yesterday I changed the toilet paper roll for the first time in 20 years. No, we haven't been using the same original roll for 20 years. It’s just that I, me, Nancy Aronie, haven't...
Writing from the Heart: Wishes aren’t warnings
“Be careful what you wish for” has been rolling around in my head forever. Because the way people would say it sounded as if it were a negative thing. Like a warning. I never...
Writing from the Heart: The middle way
Many, many years ago, I went to a meditation retreat, and at the end, we all lined up and one by one we each met the lama for a very brief connection.
I could hear...
Writing from the Heart: Good enough
“What other people think of me is none of my business.”
A mantra I repeat now and then, just to remind myself to be myself. I only need to hear it when I'm feeling that...
Writing from the Heart: Slow down, Turbo
My son Dan used to look at me with a cute grin on his face and say “Mom, slow down, Turbo!” It became a little private joke, and all I had to do was...
Writing from the Heart: Right ranting
WHY AREN’T PEOPLE RUNNING DOWN THE STREETS MUTTERING? WHY AREN’T THEY OUTRAGED”!! What is wrong with people!!!
So you already know this is my husband’s rant that he has been ranting since 1966. That was...
Writing from the Heart: Compassion fatigue
A few years ago, a friend of ours was diagnosed with a rare blood disease. We didn’t even have to do a meal train. We were on it before anyone asked. His wife was...
Writing from the Heart: RIP, Alan Arkin
Was this the summer you did the stupidest thing ever?
No? Well, it was for me. I wrote a two-page letter to Alan Arkin. That wasn’t the stupid part. Before you start imagining, he did...
Writing from the Heart: Life goes on
I was going to start a piece with the following:
I thought I couldn't live without Arnie Reisman. Paul Selwyn. Bob Dente. My son Dan, my sister Margie, my adorable mother. My funnier-than-anybody father. My...
Writing from the Heart: Ancestors
I want ancestors. Well, obviously I have some. Everyone does. But I want to connect with mine. I want to see them. I want to hear them.
I watch Henry Louis Gates’ “Finding Your Roots”...
Writing from the Heart: Learning what ‘hard’ really is
Many years ago, I was on the beach with my husband, who was reading an article in Newsweek. “Listen to this,” he said as he paraphrased. “Man is an animal. Man is supposed to...
Writing from the Heart: Chilmark fantasy
I am sitting on the outside patio at the Chilmark Tavern, happily devouring my Middle Road Honey and Citrus Panna Cotta, when Jenna comes out and says, “Ted and Mary want you to come...
Writing from the Heart: Check the date
My kids used to look at the expiration dates on food when they were perusing what their teenage bodies were craving in that big humming General Electric icebox holding all manner of possibilities. They...
Writing from the Heart: Like good wine
A few days ago, I went to a dear friend’s 75th birthday party. The invitation said no gifts, but to bring a funny quote on aging. Typical me — I only read as far...