Retirement is fabulous! Without time constraints, it affords me the opportunity to delve into my #1 interest writing. With six decades of experiences, I've lots to share.

Some topics include:

LEGAL: As a legal assistant and/or paralegal for over 2 decades, I can vouch for the fact that law firms are not as dry and serious as they appear. My interest in this field resulted in my achieving Paralegal Certification from New York State's Monroe Community College in 2001 at the age of 54.

MENTAL HEALTH: Over a decade of hospital, group home administrative office and private practitioners' office experiences include some interesting stories.

PARENTING: Five children with 100% survival rate for them and me!

GRANDPARENTING: Two teenage girls, 7 young boys, and a new granddaughter provide insight into parenting from a different perspective, as well as ideas for grandparenting.

FOSTER PARENTING: For 7 years I parented PINS (Persons In Need of Supervision) teens who were court placed into foster care. Preparation training and ongoing case worker support were invaluable tools.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION TRAINING: This was of special importance to me. Because the subject had been taught in such a boring manner, it was my goal to present lessons in a relevant and fun way, so children would enjoy learning about their religion. A side note my husband and I met in 1970 while I was volunteer principal of our parish's school of religion. It was a joy to witness my students annually as they grew from first graders into high schoolers, where I provided retreat assistance.

WIDOWHOOD: Unexpectedly in 1999 when my husband of 28 years suddenly passed away, I joined this sisterhood. Using journal entries, notes, speeches and meditations, I wrote a book, AMENDING DREAMS-REFLECTIONS AND MEDITATIONS OF A WIDOW, that was published in November, 2005. Written with widows and widowers in mind, it is has been valuable for co-workers, family members and employers, who wish to understand that stage of life. Beginning Experience is a world-wide peer support group for divorced, widowed and separated individuals. Our local branch in Rochester, New York deserves credit for encouraging me to not only put my thoughts and feeling on paper, but to share them with others in the resulting book.

INTERNET DATING: It introduced me to my new husband (as of 2/14/10) and we reside Canada. It was a fascinating experience to rotate between our two countries, environments and families as our relationship evolved.

When not writing, I can be found volunteering in the office of the church I attend or at a community cancer center. Both places are very special in the work that they perform for the community. They also serve as inspiration for my articles.

My passion is ...

reading

I know too much about ...

being overweight and widowhood

My parents always told me ...

to tell the truth

My childhood ambition ...

was to be a writer

My favorite memory ...

the birth of our first born and his siblings

Why I write ...

it keeps me focused and centered

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

Debbie Macomber - favorite author; The View asks questions I would ask; Leo Buscaglia's books are invaluable

My first job ...

ironing clothes for an Italian family who loved food!

My best moment ...

was leaving the office the day I retired

My inspiration ...

Leo Buscaglia, whose showed how to be real and laugh.

Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: Valentine's Day

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Valentine's Day had always seemed to be a joint Hallmark and Russell Stover invention. Wasn't it a day to buy cards and chocolates for spouse, parents and children? On second thought, FTD could have been in on it too, since it is one of the biggest sales days of the year for roses. In our home, we did the traditional exchange of cards and sometimes there was a little gift. Before eating a candy heart from the dish on the coffee table, the loved person would read the saying, giving us all a chuckle. Other than that, Valentine's Day was nothing special. This Valentine's Day changed my percep...

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