Lessons from my grandmother
St. Patrick’s Day always reminds me of my mother’s mother, the original Catherine Durkin. It was her favorite holiday. As I get older, I often think of her and how she taught by example… This oldie but goodie is for her. Ode to Kitty To her nine grandchildren, of which I was oldest, she’ll always [...]
Up in smoke – one mommy’s collection of unrealized dreams
Every once in a while, I hear from women who gave up something in order to have children. They lament about a postponed European trip or maybe a successful career long ago set aside in favor of playgroups, Sesame Street, and mood stabilizers. I feel their pain. I love my husband and kids with all [...]
Happiness is having a large and loving family that lives in another town
Mom always said she wanted her kids to live nearby, even on the same street. Several times this past week, with my siblings under her roof with their own children, I looked at her and yelled, above the deafening hum of Dad’s toy train speeding around the track, Champagne Supernova at full volume on someone’s [...]
When family comes together, why do I suddenly fall apart?
This past weekend in North Tampa, if you listened carefully, you could hear animals whimpering the way they do when a hurricane is coming or when a tree is about to fall on their head or when several generations crowd themselves into a 3 bedroom/2 bath, 1800 square-foot house in the name of family togetherness. [...]
Ten years of two
I did something the other day I swore I’d never do. No, I’m not talking about voting Republican or driving through downtown Gainesville. I’m talking about something truly embarrassing and unworthy of a former punk queen who hung out in Ybor City before they installed street lights. I put together 77 of my children’s photos [...]
My annual newsletter
‘Tis the season for holiday cards and form letters. That’s right. Check out those cards and one or two are usually stuffed with an annoying newsletter. Some family you hardly talk to sends along an impressive list of achievements designed to catch you up. It’s filled with boring anecdotes about the family vacation in Paris, [...]
Volunteering can be tricky
My children’s school requires parents to volunteer their time. I believe the requirement is five hours a year. Not bad right? Technically, my five hours were up that time I drove a car full of 4th grade boys to a cultural fair and spent the day bankrolling lemonade purchases after all their money “disappeared” near [...]
Christmas and Chanukah…they don’t even *sound* alike
From one of my first gigs with The Tampa Tribune in 2004… For parents, holidays provide one teachable moment after another, and by New Year’s, most of us are tired of learning experiences almost as much as turkey. Like most, my children are captivated by Christmas lights. They marvel at dazzling colors and illuminated figures [...]
What do you want for Chanukah?
Pretty simple question, right? I can’t get much of an answer out of my kids. I asked for wish lists and Oldest handed me a note where he wrote: “Best Chanukah gift – Love.” Okay, Mother Theresa, you wanna relax? You’ve been hanging out with your Nana too much. Still. The season isn’t about presents. [...]
Thoughts and concerns (while fighting the good fight)
I’m not comfortable posting details about my health right now. Not sure why. Maybe because writing a scene is challenging when you don’t know how the story ends? (Besides, you have my number.) If you don’t, scour the restrooms at Skipper’s Smokehouse. Or wait until I write about it (when I’m damn good and ready.) [...]
Disproportionately blessed...
Catherine Durkin Robinson
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