Gila Pfeffer breast cancer, Hallmark holiday, humor, Mother's Day, motherhood, motherless daughter, resilience

Mother’s Day? None For Me, Thanks

This year marks the twentieth Mother’s Day since I became a mother. My parenthood has gone through as many iterations as my kids have. Ever-evolving over two decades, shape shifting in tandem with the needs of my brood of four as they shed each stage of childhood and move on to the next. They are … Continue reading Mother’s Day? None For Me, Thanks

Gila Pfeffer breast cancer prevention, breast cancer survivor, gratitude, health issues, humor, major life changes, major milestones, mastectomy, mom humor, motherhood, unexpected, women health, women's issues

Having Knee Surgery Didn’t Scare Me; Here’s Why

Yesterday I had surgery to repair a torn meniscus, which is a cartilage in the back of the knee. The photo above is me back in my hospital room after the successful procedure, doped up on enough morphine to kill a small horse. I have a very high pain threshold which is both a blessing … Continue reading Having Knee Surgery Didn’t Scare Me; Here’s Why

Gila Pfeffer breast cancer, expats, gratitude, major life changes, major milestones, marriage, mastectomy, raising kids, thanksgiving, tradition, unexpected

The Worst Thanksgiving Ever

As a Jewish kid growing up in Staten Island, my favorite thing about Thanksgiving was the no-strings-attached days off from school. Most of our "no school" days were in observance of Jewish festivals such as Rosh Hashana or Pesach, but those days were holy and, as on Shabbat, we didn't drive, use electricity or talk … Continue reading The Worst Thanksgiving Ever