Neill Neill

My friend Dee was recovering from breast cancer and, to her horror, she discovered there were no hospice services in her region. So she organized a hospice Society, which created a hospice facility.

Shortly after meeting, Barb says to Jane, "My husband doesn't talk to me," and Jane replies, "Neither does mine." The two of them have an instant bond.

In one of my articles I talked about how addiction and codependency can be two sides of the same coin. That generated yet another request for an article about dealing with alcoholic children.

As my sister-in-law's ex-military husband sank into his confined world of alcoholism, she refused to shrink along with him. She was very clear she would not go through another divorce. Instead, she vigorously pursued her garden, bridge and investment club activities. She maintained a strong bond with her middle-aged daughter and many friends…until cancer ended her life.

The word "no" is required many times and in many forms in life. You say it to others; others say it to you. I'll give some examples.

A cool drink is so refreshing and mellowing on a hot day! It melts away the busyness of the day. It's a great relaxant after a stressful day at work. It's the universal social lubricant when people get together for fun or celebration.

From an early age whenever I wanted to try something new, my mother would grill me on my readiness: "How would you handle…?" "What would you do if…?" "And if that didn't work…?" If and when she believed I had thought something through and would be able to keep a cool head when problems arose, she would give me the go-ahead. White-knuckle motherhood at its best!

I was the oldest of four boys, and after our father died, mother supported us by taking in sewing. We were quite poor. I got an afterschool job as the janitor in a factory; it was the only way I'd have any money.

While the holiday season is a time of joy for many, it can also be a dangerous time, especially if you tend to drink too much or are around others who may overdo it on the alcohol. The suicide rate always goes up during the holidays, and studies indicate that alcohol is involved in one third of the completed suicides.

When people ask me for help, one of the most frequent complaints is of being tired and not having enough energy to do the things they want to do. They also may complain of being overwhelmed and confused. Some use the expression "brain fog" and complain of not being able to think clearly.