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Since 1995, writer Mark Morrison has chronicled some of
his poignant life stories in first-person columns for USA WEEKEND
Magazine. Topics have included traveling with three generations
of family, teaching his teen daughter to drive, and the lingering
effects of a parent's divorce. Morrison is the West Coast editor of In Style
magazine.
Adrift after my parents' divorce
A few weeks ago, my father and his significant other celebrated
their 20th anniversary. My wife and I had just celebrated our
21st. I didn't send them a card. I never do, though they never
miss ours. CONTINUE
One vacation, three generations
When my wife's parents celebrated their golden wedding anniversary
recently, they quickly dismissed the idea of a fancy shindig.
Why fuss? Already retired to Florida for six years, CONTINUE
Help! They think I look like President Clinton
The first time it happened, I was at an all-you-can-eat soup-and-salad
place with my wife and daughters. They went for seconds, and I
was sitting there when an old man nearby did a double take. "You
know, you look like President Clinton," he shot over. I just
smiled. CONTINUE
Her drive to drive
"Daddy," Marina said. I could tell it was bad news. "I
failed." Oh, honey you failed, but you're not a failure," I
said, in faux Father Knows Best fashion. But she was too upset about not passing her driver's test to hear
me. CONTINUE
Live and let dye
I'm not one to be swayed by what's trendy. But more men - even
Iron Johns - are keeping their gray at bay. So why not me? I'm sitting here in the too-bright light of my trusty hair salon
staring at myself in the mirror. CONTINUE
Crowding my teen
Over the years, I've savored the notion that one thing that
separates baby boomer parents from their own parents is that we
listen to the same music as our kids. When all else fails and
we're drowning in deja vu because our progeny are telling us we
don't understand, CONTINUE
It's never too late to unite a family
Four days after my father-in-law died in January at age 77, we
held a memorial service at home. I stood before 40 of our friends
and relatives, offering words and remembrances to people who hardly
knew him. CONTINUE
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