
‘Twas 14 days before Christmas when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even Whiskers, our caged mouse. The stockings are still in a crate, and it looks like St. Nick is running late. My children had crashed, done counting sheep. My husband is all snug in our bed, fingers texting against my thigh in his sleep. Our beagle yelps, frustrated with that black squirrel haunting her dreams. Out on the road the late night trucks raise a clatter, an owl hoots as if nothing is the matter.
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In a few short days the month of September will be upon us. As I type these words, I can physically feel my stomach flip-flopping and a knot beginning to form. What’s wrong with September you ask? Technically … nothing … I do enjoy the last days of summer and the soon-to-be fall weather.
But my oldest daughter’s birthday and the day she died are both in the month of September. September brings up so many memories … both the good and the painful.
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This summer my husband Roger and I attended the wedding of Kira and Greg -- another of my daughter Liz's closest high school girlfriends. This was our fifth wedding this summer for Liz's high school girlfriends. We are so thankful that everyone is doing so well, getting on with life in joy I really don't think these girls know or understand how much it means to Roger and me that we are included in their celebrations. It is so special. What was even more touching for us at this wedding was the extra way that Kira and Greg remembered Liz.
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Holy Vagina, Batman! One week until the release of What's Up Down There? Questions You'd Only Ask Your Gynecologist If She Was Your Best Friend! In anticipation of the big launch day (Sept 28), this week we are pleased to publish exclusive excerpts and blogs by our very own Dr. Lissa Rankin. Today's excerpt is on the time that shall not be named - well anywhere else, that is: Menopause. Check out Lissa's experiences and personal exploration of this time that most women dread and how we can embrace it with the kick-butt power and grace that make us uniquely female... Enjoy!
Who wants to endure hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, brain fog, insomnia, vaginal dryness, skin changes, and weight gain? But as this life transition draws closer to me, I find myself shedding my fear and beginning to embrace it. I would never want to move backwards in my life. Each year is filled with lessons learned and growth experiences. God forbid I should ever have to relive my twenties, full of insecurities, vanity, pride, and selfish choices. And my thirties, while vastly better than my twenties, were largely a time of walking through life like a zombie, asleep to my true calling, too busy DOING to just BE. Now, I’m in my forties, and I’m loving it. I’m getting smile lines and grey hair and age spots, but I really don’t give a flip. Sure, the radiance of youth may fade as we age, but we glow with a different kind of light as we step into who we are truly meant to be.
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Two weeks ago, Pinkie Pattie Lee wrote a beautiful letter to her younger self that inspired many of us to do the same. Kim Wenci wrote notes to each of her younger selves, from infancy to age 56, and today Leslee shares a letter to her 18-year-old self, just starting college... Enjoy these powerful reflections, and many thanks to Pattie for inspiring all of us!
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Today, we say goodbye to Owning Pink as we know it. Just over a year ago, I launched Owning Pink as my blog, where I would chronicle my journey of getting my mojo back. But we have outgrown the blog format I have come to know as home for the past year. Tomorrow, we launch the new site, and Owning Pink will be making some major shifts. I’ve had mixed feelings about this.

Dearest Pinkies, Please welcome back my Pink Mommy, Trish Rankin. A few weeks ago a Pinkie e-mailed me to ask how she might help her daughter deal with the death of a friend. Since Mom teaches grief classes, I thought she’d be the best person to answer. And answer she did. I hope her wisdom is helpful to those of you whose child may be experiencing a loss. Thank you, Mommy!
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Hiya, Pinkies. I've been getting lots of inquiries - especially on Twitter - asking what Owning Pink is all about. What's the story? Why Pink? What is Mojo? How can Owning Pink help me? I realized that while there are stories and snippets here and there on the site, the whole shebang isn't in one place. And so, without further ado, here is the story about how I lost and found my Mojo, and decided it was time for me - and for all of us - to start Owning Pink.

Dearest Pinkies, it is our honor to re-introduce to you Nancy Slonim Aronie, our teacher, hero, and friend. It was at Nancy's workshop at Esalen that Joy and I met two years ago. This is a woman who was Owning Pink before either of us was even born. Ever-present in Nancy's inspiring anecdotes at the soul of the workshop was her son, Dan. Dan passed away a few weeks ago, and Nancy wrote a eulogy that captures him so well, we couldn't not share it with you. Most of all, her writing demonstrates the incredible power of love, the capacity of the heart, and the eternal nature of the spirit- how Pink is that? Thank you, Pinkies, for helping us hold space for and honor Nancy, Dan, and the Aronie family.