margieremmers

3 Men in Suits: Life Lessons from the Diner

The three men didn't say a word. And yet their very presence in the diner spoke volumes. THE STORY It was the end of a long morning. Despite my aching jaw, I managed to get the kids up, dressed and fed, as well as help my wheelchair bound mother ... Read >

Look What Becky Did! Profiles in Goal Achievement

"I know, let's run a marathon together--oh my gosh, that would be so cool!" When you're a teenager, you think you can do anything, and that was certainly the case for Becky and Roxanne. Young, healthy, and co-captains of the field hockey team, Becky... Read >

To Tame a Fox: Life Lessons from Nature

You cannot tame anything by chasing after it. When you really want something, sometimes you must be still and let it come to you. THE STORY I have always loved Gene Wilder. His piercing blue eyes always seemed so kind and inviting. I don't rememb... Read >

To Make an Apple Pie: Life Lessons from the Kitchen

THE STORY When my husband and I were first dating, I decided to impress upon him my culinary skills and bake him an apple pie. Though I had not made a lot of pies in my life--apple or otherwise--I was confident in my ability to pull it off. I got ou... Read >

Look What Stephen Did! Profiles in Goal Achievement

"You can't fly planes! Be more realistic!!" Those were the words of Stephen Hopson's well-meaning parents. You see, Stephen was born with a passion for flying, but he was also born profoundly deaf. When he was just four years old, Stephen would b... Read >

She Only Had One Leg: More Life Lessons from the Pool

THE STORY We crossed paths as I was getting out of the pool and she was getting in--pushed in her wheelchair by one of the lifeguards. It is not unusual to see a senior citizen with mobility challenges at our gym. The pool is frequently used by them... Read >

Success & Hydrodynamics: Life Lessons from the Pool

THE STORY Keep your elbow up. Reach and glide. No, keep the arm straight out, don't let it fall down. Fingers in the water first. Keep your hand cupped like a spoon--not a fork, not a knife, a spoon. Rotate your hips. Keep the body stiff. Your whole bo... Read >

My Kids are So Funny (and They're Just Like Many Adults!)

My kids are so funny. My husband and I have always been against video games. We see kids playing them non-stop and worry that an entire generation is spending too much energy trying to save a "second world" when they could be out saving the first one. ... Read >

Preschool, Pizza, and Perspective

Two heart-warming stories. One important message. The Case of the Disgruntled Preschooler When I arrived at the gym this morning, it was wet and cold. As is often the case, there were parents unloading preschoolers and shuttling them into the adj... Read >

My First Basketball Game: Life Lessons on the Court

I never knew I could learn so much about life and success from a game of basketball. My mother was an athlete. She was a tom-boy, and growing up she played every sport she could. This was, of course, in the 1950s, when girls didn't do such things and... Read >

At the Copa: Life Lessons from Spinning with Barry Manilow

It stills seems a little surreal to think that I am training for a triathlon. I was taking a home study course recently, and one of the exercises said to write down 101 things I would like to do before I die. In my first attempt, I struggled to come up... Read >