At the end of every winter, I begin germinating seeds indoors. It is a time that excites me, all signs around me alert my body that spring is arriving. I put so much energy into growing the seeds, nurturing them, playing music for them, singing to them like my children. I speak loving words to them, infuse the air around them with words of affirmation. Each molecule of warm air that bounces off my lips, immediately visible, into the crisp winter air is infused with love, the energy of...

The loss of community and quality of life It was 4:30am on September 11th, 2001. I had just finished breakfast at a restaurant in the...

The beginning of eighth grade for most middle schoolers in NYC marks the beginning of hunting for high schools. Hunting for high...