Growing up, my parents were very encouraging of my sister’s and my talents. Early on, they saw what we did in our free time or on the sly at church. Soon, we were overhearing them say proudly, “Elida is the artist and Danielle is the writer.” We took those labels to heart and, in a sense, they were true. I do like to paint and she likes to write and so, naturally, I became an artist and she became a writer. But little did we know that those labels could be restrictive.      Did that mean that...

Happy New Year! As the New Year begins, many of us enter a season of New Year reflection, thinking about our goals, our bodies, and what we want this next chapter to look like—especially when it comes to health after 50. You might be shopping for the latest exercise equipment or thinking about joining a gym. I hear you. I usually gain weight each winter—especially after the holidays—and then frantically try to lose it before summer. But over the past few years, I’ve shifted my focus from...

Turning fifty feels like I’m stepping into a new era and, to be honest, it hasn’t been that exciting. The truth is I don’t feel young anymore. I’ve moved from being called “miss” to being referred to as “ma’am.”  As I was walking down the street in Paros, a car drove by and I heard a whistle. A li’l grin spread over my face and I thought, “I’ve still got it.”  Then, I caught a glimpse of the girl across the street, much younger, sporting a crop top, and dangling a cigarette as she strutted...