Parentless Parents

The truth is, being a mom hasn't removed the part of me that was also a daughter, and sometimes Mother's Day is just a painful reminder of her absence. So what can one do to make Mother's Day less painful and a lot more joyful?

Geraldine Ferraro taught me that nobody ever completely moves on from losing his or her parents, not even she, a political icon.

In truth, I'm happy in the face of what I write because I have an outlet for all my feelings. My upbeat attitude has been shaped by creating a new and different conversation about loss, and the relationship I have with my readers.

One of the most important lessons I've learned since my parents passed away is the absolute necessity of taking care of myself. I've come to realize that I am the only person responsible for my happiness -- not my husband, not my friends.

Asking for help puts you in a vulnerable position. The person you are asking might just say no, and then what? "I can do it myself" is a mantra for many of us who grew up too soon.

For new parents whose own mother and father have passed away, choosing a baby name that honors them and keeps their memory alive may take on a special significance.

For the first time in U.S. history, millions of children (and their parents) are actually vulnerable to having less time with their grandparents than more. A revolution is happening in the way generations are connected in America.

Parentless parents could read every parenting book in the world and we'd still never learn what we really want to know as moms and dads.

My dad thought these lessons were important for me to learn, and they are now important for me to share with my daughter.