The Smile in front of the Pain

One of my favorite lines from the movie Elf is when Buddy says “I just like to smile. Smiling is my favorite.” I like to smile, too, and these days, it’s truly coming from an authentic place. But when I was younger, it was sometimes to hide pain that was too shameful to talk about. This …

Those Parkland Kids

Eighteen days ago, another fatal school shooting. It’s sickening to think of those children running for their lives, hiding behind desks and doors, praying the rapid-fire shots don’t find their classroom, crying, texting parents and siblings, telling them maybe for the last time how much they love them. How are these young students to continue …