Life is Beautiful

I am preparing for my talk at Ted X Bellingham entitled, “Remember to Live.” It is drawn from words Kaitlin Kenny had written in her river journal through the Grand Canyon. The phrase, on its face, may seem sad given that Kaitlin died on that trip. But there is also… Read More

Last Words

Last Words

The last words my mother ever said to me were, “Peer Gynt Suite. It’s the Peer Gynt Suite by Edvard Grieg.” Beverly Francis Rakha, right before my birth – 1959 I was in my parents’ car, my father driving home, my mother beside him, my four-year-old son and I in… Read More

I Wish I Could Remember My Dad

I Wish I Could Remember My Dad

My dad told me he would be willing to consider assisted living, but if he had to be bed-bound, forget it. No operation. It would be time to give up.  And I thought.  Okay, but it won’t get to that. It’s a minor procedure. You will be fine.  And besides,… Read More

A Seattle Night

A Seattle Night

Seattle was clear and warm. The sunset on Elliot Bay a romantic etude – Olympic mountains a dark saw blade against a lavender sky, ferries slow moving castles, yellow lights glowing as they orbited the Sound. I had dinner with Kaitlin’s Aunt Kate last night. We had a drink, went… Read More

Outside Magazine – Kaitlin Kenney

Outside Magazine – Kaitlin Kenney

Even while napping, Kaitlin was smiling. Picture from Wild Rockies Field Institute Outside Magazine, the “Live Bravely” publication, has just uploaded an article about Kaitlin Kenney entitled Lost in the Grand Canyon. Which proves one thing to me: Kaitlin is still alive in the hearts of thousands of people who have… Read More

Crisis-tainment

Crisis-tainment

I am not watching the news. Not following #manhunt tweets. Or #bostonbombs. I did have on NPR for a while, but turned it off when some reporter questioned why Obama had not yet spoke today, three days after two bombs exploded at the Boston Marathon. “People need to hear from… Read More