The inside of my brain is bursting. I want to scream, but I know this is childish and pointless. I'm over 50 years old -- and I know better. But, I'm a mom and when I watch the aftermath of 20 children killed at Sandy Hook, the fibers on my neck burn and I feel the maternal desire to protect.

I love my phone but to be honest, I reached my limit on this technology at a restaurant the other night when six friends took their phones out and placed them face-up next to their plates. 

My organic-vegan-pure food-college-kid has never had a Ho Ho or a Ding Dong. She doesn't understand the magic of a naturally and artificially-flavored Hostess fruit pie.

"I am not fully informed on the topics or the candidates, so I don't feel comfortable voting. I'm not sure I am going to vote," my young guest said. I felt the hair stand up on my arms. Not vote!

I know that scar will remind me that as I get older, each bump, fall or accident makes me a little bit more cautious and afraid, and I have to fight against that.

When the Olympic swimmers are racing, I like to imagine myself swimming in the next lane, racing back and forth, flip turning, heart pounding, speeding against the clock.

My Mom role has changed -- my boys are men and they have their own lives. On this trip, I learned that there is joy in being an observer, giving them space and in so doing, finding some great space of my own.

SPECIAL FROM BetterAfter50 The other night, I was dining at State Road, one of my favorite Martha's Vineyard restaurants. It's such a popular place ...

Her friends were all bragging about how their daughters were buying them flowers, but my mom set a new standard with "My daughter bought me a mother/daughter trip to Turkey."

The point of forgiveness is letting go of the anger inside of you. It does not mean approving what was done in the past. Forgiveness is about oneself and not about the other person.

What causes denial and why do we choose not to face reality?

When I met John I had just begun to walk my new path. I was clean, clear and directed. I was on my way out. John was, too.

Not all headscarves are what they appear to be. They are both more and less than you would expect.

I get confused on Mother's Day. My first instinct is to be there for my Mom. A close second, if not a full tie, is that I want to be with my kids. Do I want to be the mother or the motheree? Whose day is it really?