As Gladys, who returned to college while in her 50s, proves, maturing age can be a time to reevaluate and change courses. By Yolanda Reid Chassiakos, M.D. “Fish out of water,” Gladys said with pride as she took a seat in my office. “That’s me.” No question, this full-figured, conservatively dressed woman in her 50s…

by Karen Ethelsdattar The first time I married I took my husband’s name for mine & added Mrs. I pulled it over my ears, a woolen cap, even when it scratched in warm weather. I was his falcon, hooded. I was his pigeon, banded. I sank into his name like a feather bed & neglected…

Lately, like many of you, I have been waging an assault on clutter. I have been digging into the recesses of my closets, drawers and shelves and tossing, recycling and reclaiming my possessions. During this frenzy I came upon some old photograph albums and took a break to sit down with them. I sorted through…

  Claire*, a 26-year-old professional in an accounting firm is an only child, the daughter of an unmarried mother. Her mother was ‘her mother’ until about 8 months (or more) ago when, out of nowhere, she turned into someone Claire couldn’t and still can’t recognise. Claire’s mother runs three high-end dress shops. Two of the…

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