On my 47th birthday, I set the table for three—one seat left heartbreakingly empty. It had been two years since I’d heard from my daughter, Karen, and every silent day had carved a little deeper into my heart. But even in that absence, I couldn’t bring myself to stop setting her place each year, as…
The next morning, with resolve in my chest and Brad beside me, I drove to Nigel’s house—my past. I needed answers. The place hadn’t changed, but Nigel had—older, sadder. When I asked about Karen, he finally told me she’d moved to Canada a year ago and never got my letters. My heart sank. And then—he…
Tattoos and body markings carry different meanings depending on cultural and personal perspectives. What might be seen as deeply meaningful in one part of the world could look like random lines in another. Across time, humans have used their appearance—through clothing, hairstyle, or body art—to express identity, beliefs, or messages. These expressions range from whimsical…
Read More “If you see someone with this tattoo on their hand, you had better know what it means” »
As it turns out, this red string is no ordinary design. Known as the “red string of fate,” it stems from Asian folklore and symbolizes an invisible connection between two people destined to meet, often romantically. Typically inked around the thumb of a man and the pinky of a woman, the tattoo represents the idea…
On a long overnight flight from New York to London, I settled in with a stack of books, ready for a quiet trip. Next to me sat a teenage boy watching loud action shows on his tablet. Despite wearing headphones, the sound was blaring. I politely asked him to turn it down — twice. He…
the mom loudly complained that I was disturbing her son’s sleep. I explained my side, holding up my book. The flight attendant nodded, then leaned in and whispered, “I have a solution.” She smiled and offered me a free upgrade to an empty business class seat — peace, quiet, and my own window. But the cherry on top? She…
You’d think by now I’d be used to airports, delays, recycled cabin air, and flimsy airplane snacks. But nothing could have prepared me for that flight to Seattle—the one that started like every other business trip and turned into a lesson in boundaries, chronic illness, and standing your ground at 30,000 feet. My name’s Elizabeth….
Read More “Entitled Parents Told Me Not to Eat on the Plane — I Made Them Regret It” »
Or on an airplane. Like I was that day. It was a 10:15 a.m. flight out of O’Hare. I’d had an early client presentation that morning and just barely made it to the gate on time. I’d skipped breakfast—something I usually never do, but I told myself I’d eat on the plane. Big mistake. By…
Read More “2/ Entitled Parents Told Me Not to Eat on the Plane — I Made Them Regret It” »
When my fiancé Josh and I were invited to his parents’ lake house for a “relaxing weekend,” I expected peaceful views and family bonding. Instead, I got cleaning supplies and a broken shower. From the moment we arrived, his mom had me scrubbing the floors and toilets. She handed me raw meat for dinner and…
karma arrived in the form of a plumber. Josh’s mom had apparently decided to take a shower — in the very much functional bathroom — and didn’t realize the plumber had a key. He walked in on her mid-rinse. Josh’s dad, confused, said the only issue was the kitchen sink. That’s when Josh finally realized…
