Joan Gershman
Bio
Retired - Speech/language therapist, Special Education Asst, English teacher
Websites: www.thealzheimerspouse.com; talktimewithjoan.com
Whimsical essays, short stories -funny, serious, and thought-provoking
Weightloss Series
Stories (100/0)
Pre-Surgery Education Class - The Fattest One in the Room
One of the requirements for being approved for bariatric surgery is that candidates attend a series of Pre-Surgery Education Classes, in which we examine our reasons for undergoing the surgery; learn the anatomical aspects of the surgery; learn the physical ramifications of the surgery, and learn how we are going to have to eat for the rest of our lives. I do not know how anyone could go through the surgery and be successful afterward without attending all these classes. They are invaluable.
By Joan Gershman2 years ago in Longevity
The Fog of Grief
It is June 2015. There are people in my house. Who is here? I tell myself that I’m okay because my sister, Arlene, flew in from Chicago, and my son, Joel, flew in from California. They are staying with me. They are watching over me. What are they saying? I don’t know.
By Joan Gershman2 years ago in Families
The Day I Almost Burned Down the House
Long ago on a quiet Sunday afternoon, back in the olden days of the 1950's, when I was only 9 years old, my parents wanted to go across town to visit my aunt and uncle. That meant that I and my 2 year-old sister would have to go with them, because in 1957, as far as I knew, it was unheard of for a 9-year-old to be left home alone.
By Joan Gershman2 years ago in Confessions
Hurricanes and Blizzards
There are uncanny parallels between the weather reporting of impending hurricanes and impending blizzards. I lived in New England for my entire life, until I moved to South Florida 14 years ago. I thought it was only Hardy New England reporters who stood out in the worst nature had to offer, bundled up in knitted caps that covered all but the mouth needed to speak into a microphone, to tell us what our eyes could clearly see - It was snowing - hard.
By Joan Gershman2 years ago in Humans
- Top Story - January 2022
How an Idea of Buying a $500 Couch Snowballed into a $4000 Remodeling AdventureTop Story - January 2022
My grief counselor told me that someday, with the passage of time, I would look back and smile at many of the memories Sid and I made together during our 45-year loving marriage.
By Joan Gershman2 years ago in Humans
A Letter from Dog Heaven
Dear Vocal, Sitting up here in Doggie Heaven, I’ve been keeping an eye on Mom down there on earth for a lot of years. I see that you guys at Vocal want her to write about an exciting adventure we had together. Well, I feel awfully bad about that because, you know, I think Mom’s a really good writer, but I was sort of the “fraidy cat”(whoops- “fraidy dog”) type. As a Golden Retriever, I was of course loyal, loveable, and friendly, but I was also kind of afraid of stuff, so she doesn’t have any grand adventures to write about. No hiking up mountains, water skiing, motorcycle riding, or surfing stories. Sorry. I’ll bet you’re going to get lots of stories about amazing dogs traveling the world with their human parents, but Mom doesn’t have any of those about us.
By Joan Gershman2 years ago in Petlife
Struggling Through The Bariatric Pre-Surgery Medical Clearances
Part 1 - The Life That Led Me to Bariatric Surgery Part 2 - The Road to Bariatric Surgery - Full of Pothole As I discussed in the previous installment, The Road to Bariatric Surgery – Full of Potholes, there was a laundry list of requirements to qualify for weight loss surgery.
By Joan Gershman2 years ago in Longevity
My Time to Shine
It began with a sweater. A beautiful, white, cable knit, English woolen sweater. The Sweater That Didn't Fit “I don’t understand”, said my new British aunt. “The saleswoman assured me that this sweater would fit a child up to six years old.” She grunted as she tried, for the 3rd time, to squeeze my 4 year-old arm into one of the sleeves. Auntie Ann, as she was now known to us, and my Uncle Sonny had met in London when he was stationed there during a stint in the army. One whirlwind romance and wedding later, and my new aunt was in America presenting all her newly acquired nieces and nephews with welcoming gifts.
By Joan Gershman2 years ago in Motivation
The Art of Constructive Criticism
What a great story. Loved your story. Excellent writing. Keep up the good work. Who wouldn’t want to receive such praise in the “Comment” section under your posted Vocal story? I am right up there with those writers whose endorphins, or “happy hormones” are released if I am the recipient of such effusive compliments.
By Joan Gershman2 years ago in Humans
The Road to Bariatric Surgery
(Part 1 can be accessed here - The Life That Led Me to Bariatric Surgery. ) When I decided to have Bariatric Sleeve surgery I knew I did not want to announce it to the world. I needed to keep it quiet and secret to all but one or two close friends and relatives. My reasons were simple. I had made my decision based upon my own issues, needs, and what I felt was best for me. I did not want to listen to a litany of opinions and admonishments. Most of all, I did not want to be scrutinized, as had happened any time throughout my life when I was foolish enough to tell anyone that I was dieting.
By Joan Gershman2 years ago in Longevity