The trouble with the return-to-work conversation is that many of us aren’t “returning to work.” We never left. Work never stopped. Bringing work home with us took on new meaning in 2020, as work lives blended (or collided) with the lives of our families. The lines between work and home…

Two Sunday mornings every month I ride the NYC subway down to the southern tip of Manhattan to my volunteer job at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. I sat on the train this past Sunday with a heavy heart, having awoken to the news of yet another mass shooting that…

It began during the holidays — Amazon’s courting of the residents of my Queens, New York neighborhood. The goldenrod and black color scheme of the conspicuously oversize (8 x 10) postcard wedged into my mailbox was unmistakably Amazon’s. “Amazon is investing in Long Island City,” the banner read, with an…

No problem I totally get you You’re doing a great job I’m so glad you’re back That’s a shame Bless her heart No. You’re not annoying me Good for her I agree No worries So great to see you No, I haven’t heard from him Everyone’s cool with it I’m really looking forward to it No one thinks you’re a douche Thanks so much Everything’s in good shape Thanks for calling —

On letting go — Kristen Lykins I dreaded the first Thanksgiving without my mom so much so that I impulsively ditched the annual extended family ritual and ran away to Europe to visit my friend, Grace (who coincidentally shared my mom’s first name). I dragged my 16-year-old daughter along with me, never-mind that she…