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One True Thing

Life's questions, big and small

Dreaming
Come As You Are: How a Song Became a Story

Jennifer Haupt on March 4, 2022

A Personal Perspective: I interpreted these lyrics as the struggle for acceptance of self. The person you remember yourself to be and reconciling that image with who you are now.

A Personal Perspective: I interpreted these lyrics as the struggle for acceptance of self. The person you remember yourself to be and reconciling that image with who you are now.

Animal Behavior
How Pets Help Us Grieve

Jennifer Haupt on October 17, 2021

Jenna Blum’s touching memoir details how her black Lab helped her grieve after her mom died. And then, in a full circle of love, Jenna cared for Woodrow during his final days.

Jenna Blum’s touching memoir details how her black Lab helped her grieve after her mom died. And then, in a full circle of love, Jenna cared for Woodrow during his final days.

Friends
It's Never Too Late to Say No

Jennifer Haupt on April 20, 2021

I knew right away I didn't want to see him again but I agreed to another date anyway. Why? By Ann Garvin

I knew right away I didn't want to see him again but I agreed to another date anyway. Why? By Ann Garvin

Ana Hebra Flaster
Grief
Hope Sings

Jennifer Haupt on March 24, 2021

A daughter of a Cuban refugee recounts how her father's canaries pulled them from one day to the next, through the grief of the pandemic.

A daughter of a Cuban refugee recounts how her father's canaries pulled them from one day to the next, through the grief of the pandemic.

Trauma
After Rape: A Welcomed Return to Self

Jennifer Haupt on November 6, 2020

Rape victims often talk about a “before and after” understanding of self. How do you redefine self after trauma?

Rape victims often talk about a “before and after” understanding of self. How do you redefine self after trauma?

Friends
Joan Frank: The Late Work Bylaws

Jennifer Haupt on October 7, 2020

A sudden awareness of shrinking time has a striking way of showing us what is truly important: friendship and creativity.

A sudden awareness of shrinking time has a striking way of showing us what is truly important: friendship and creativity.

Aging
Dinty W. Moore: Sit the Hell Down

Jennifer Haupt on August 27, 2020

"I imagined my retirement as a bursting forth, a late-stage adventure, a time to travel ... Maybe it will be, someday."

"I imagined my retirement as a bursting forth, a late-stage adventure, a time to travel ... Maybe it will be, someday."

Coronavirus Disease 2019
Gina Frangello: Final Act

Jennifer Haupt on August 9, 2020

"We didn’t even know how to use Zoom until an hour before, but here we were sending out Zoom invitations to our pop-up wedding..."

"We didn’t even know how to use Zoom until an hour before, but here we were sending out Zoom invitations to our pop-up wedding..."

Grief
David Sheff: Turning Grief into Active Compassion

Jennifer Haupt on August 5, 2020

"We can treat our pain and create change when we turn our anger into action, when we connect with others, and we do our best to help those in need."

"We can treat our pain and create change when we turn our anger into action, when we connect with others, and we do our best to help those in need."

Coronavirus Disease 2019
My Shelter-in-Place Dance Party

Jennifer Haupt on May 19, 2020

Now, more than ever, I need to dance — to choose joy, even if only for 30 seconds. It’s a way to have a glimmer of control during this dark time. For me, it’s also a prayer for those who are struggling.

Now, more than ever, I need to dance — to choose joy, even if only for 30 seconds. It’s a way to have a glimmer of control during this dark time. For me, it’s also a prayer for those who are struggling.