Articles written by Holle Abee in Relationships & Family

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What is Helium

About me - Holle Abee

I am a retired teacher of British Literature, World Literature, and Creative Writing. I also taught grammar and writing skills and adult education at a local technical college and tutored for the English Department at Abraham Baldwin College. I served as

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Relationships & Family > Grief & Loss Is suicide ever justified?: 1 of 41
As a Christian, for many years I felt that suicide was an unforgivable sin. I felt that the decision of life and death should be left up to God, who has a plan for all of us. We had no business in interfering with His omniscience. My father, also a devout Christian, always took the opposing view. He reasoned that suicide, wh... More..
Relationships & Family > Relationships & Family (Other) How to make a difference in the life of a child: 1 of 25
My mother, a devout Christian, always told me "the world should be a better place because a man (or woman) has lived." She spent her entire life helping others, and I have tried to follow her example. Although I've fallen far short of her altruism, I found that as a teacher, I had the rare opportunity to make a difference in... More..
Relationships & Family > Elderly Parents & Care Aging parents, "never-never land" children and how to handle "The Squeeze" at 50: 2 of 40
I just turned 50, and I find myself in a very strange role. Actually, I should say roles, plural. Now, in addition to being a wife, I'm the mother of three grown daughters (along with their husbands), grandmother to six young grandchildren, and part-time care giver to an elderly mother. Some days I'm not sure how I have kept... More..
Relationships & Family > Friendship Advice Importance of fitting in: 1 of 14
As humans, we're genetically wired to want to "fit in." Why? Because man is essentially a "pack animal," much like wolves, dogs, and gorillas. Instead of packs, however, ancient man referred to his collective group as "tribes." Like the lower animals, man depended on the group for survival. Each member knew his place in the ... More..
Relationships & Family > Dating Psychology Clever ways to say "I love you": 3 of 41
There are so many ways to say "I love you." I'm fortunate to be married to a thoughtful, talented man who has used various methods to convey his message to me. Of course, I know he loves me, but I never tire of hearing it, especially via some of the creative ways he's come up with. Try some of these on your sweetheart! * If ... More..
Relationships & Family > Couple Communication Dealing with open LDRs (long-distance relationships): 3 of 38
I met John at a hotel bar one summer when I was visiting my mom and dad, who lived a hundred miles away from my home. We hit it off instantly, but I initially assumed our encounter would be nothing more than a pleasant one night stand, largely due to the logistics involved. He actually lived in another state, over 500 miles ... More..
Relationships & Family > Successful Dating Low budget dating tips: 2 of 22
Dating is an age-old ritual designed to allow two people to get to know each other. The focus should be about quality time, not about how much you can impress your date with a big price tag. If your date is only interested on how much money you'll spend on getting to know her (or him), find someone else to spend time with. T... More..
Relationships & Family > Family Life Thoughts on what mealtime represents for families: 9 of 85
When I was growing up, way back in the sixties, we had a sit-down dinner every night as a family. Everyone did back then, or at least everyone I knew. Nowadays many families don't take the time to practice this daily ritual, and that's a real shame. Oh, they share a meal on special occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas, ... More..
Relationships & Family > Family Life Our family's most unique and unusual autumn tradition: 8 of 42
Autumn is my favorite time of year. As part of a very close-knit family, I find the frosty nights and breezy days encourage a "cozy" feeling that just makes me want to "gather round the hearth" with my loved ones. And with six young grandchildren and nieces and nephews, we'll use just about any excuse for a gathering! One of... More..
Relationships & Family > Break-Ups & Exes How to cope with the holidays after a breakup: 1 of 5
You thought your quest for finding love was over. You were in a committed relationship and were looking forward to the upcoming holiday season. You pictured you and your significant other spending cozy evenings by the Christmas tree, attending parties together and exchanging thoughtful gifts. You thought you were "all set." ... More..