This is a selection of articles and poems I've written. I'll be adding more, so keep checking back!
Articles:
Humorous remark signals that dad will be all right by Connie J. Schlosberg Special to the Colorado Springs Gazette October 14, 2007
When I was eighteen years old, my father and I almost drowned off the coast of Florida. My father had just gotten over an operation for an aneurysm of the aorta and was not working due to his illness. This forced us to move from our home in Allentown, Pennsylvania to my aunt’s house in Deland, Florida. After a few weeks of adjustment, my father decided we needed a break and we headed to Daytona Beach, notoriously known for car racing and spring break.
“Let’s go for a swim,” my father said. He smiled wide as he got up. The first – in a long time - I had seen his grin. I reminded him that I can’t float for more than five seconds let alone swim.
He said, “That’s okay. I was in the Navy. I can swim anywhere.” He motioned for me to get up from the blanket.
The day started out warm and sunny, but we were unaware that a hurricane was on its way. The water was warm but the waves were rough. At first, we were in shallow water but the waves got bigger – higher than my height. I felt like I was caught in a washing machine. I swallowed some water and kept trying to emerge my head above the ocean. I could hear my father shouting something. His New York accent was thicker than usual. The silky sand under my feet kept slipping by. I couldn’t keep up with the undertow.
“I got you,” my father yelled. I could no longer hear my father but I felt him grab my hand. His hands felt soft and buttery to me. We both swallowed salty seawater and I think seaweed had coiled around my father’s numbed legs, still black and blue from his operation.
Through reflections above the ocean, I could see his hands gesture the help sign.
A lifeguard appeared handing my father two life preserves. I’m not sure how we ended up grabbing the life preserves but I remember being pulled to shore. He helped us walk back to the beach.
“I just had an operation. I can’t breathe well.” My father puffed the words with every breath he could manage.
The lifeguard said, “Sir. We need to check your vitals to make sure you don’t need a doctor.”
My father assured us that he was fine. His hands smoothed from the seawater held mine. My father turned to one of the lifeguards. “By the way, my daughter is new in town. Maybe you can show her around some time.”
Seeing my skin flush as he spoke, my father leaned in to me. “Hey, kid. It’s worth a shot.”
From that moment, I knew he was alright in more ways than one. His humor was still there.
Tips for Choosing a Charity by Connie J. Schlosberg Space Observer
10/6/2008 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- With the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) under way, you may be wondering which charities are worthy of your hard-earned dollars. The CFC offers many charities to choose from and deciding which ones to donate to can be daunting.
You should select the charity whose mission matters to you most. Give to groups whose work you are already familiar with and to groups you are confident will put your donation to good use.
You should still research the organization to verify it is the one you think it is. You may have confused the charity with another one of a similar name. Do not assume you know the organization and what it does. Read up on their mission and take a look at its financial records. You have a right to know how the organization is going to spend your donation. The bulk of donations should go to help the people and causes they claim to support; the CFC brochure states the administrative expenses at the end of the charity's listing. Other thoughts to consider are to clarify your values and identify your preferences. Are you more concerned about the environment or supporting the arts? Does someone in your family have an illness that could benefit from one or more of these charities? Perhaps you would like to advocate for a law or educate the public about a cause.
You should also think about whether you want to support a charity that is local, national or even international. A lot of people prefer to support charities that serve their local community. Local charities can appear more concrete because you can see the work being accomplished and the benefits to your neighbors and community. Remember that small and new charities can use your help just as much as the larger more established ones. Make certain that the organization's goals are measurable and its achievements are recorded.
Sometimes volunteering for a charity will help you decide if it is the one you want to support. If you cannot get personally involved, try speaking to the charity's staff members and volunteers. Question them about the group you want to sponsor by asking them how committed they are to the organization and how efficient the organization is in helping support their cause. Once you align yourself to a charity whose issues you are most ardent about, you will be more inclined to be generous and involved with that organization.
Poems:
Baby Doll by Connie J. Schlosberg Mom Writers Literary Magazine Spring 2008 Edition
The first time I gazed upon her cherub face I couldn’t help but notice Her flesh as soft as rain soaked petals in spring time delicate, delightful Lips are ballet slippers pursed together on pointe She’s as petite as a baby doll that you just got for Christmas Cherry blossoms flutter as we waltz ballroom style back home Her breath as sweet as cotton candy clouds wrapped in cozy furry- Fuzzy garden-pink mohair sweater she slumbers her cheeks are Strawberries and cream always dreaming of Degas ballerinas
R O S E S W I L L B L O O M Featured in "Stories of Strength" by Connie J. Schlosberg
Grasshopper is hiding Ghostly clouds hasten their way in Saturday afternoon silence My friend tells me that sun and rain Come together to paint the rainbow’s way Grisly rain is pouring down I don’t feel dismay Sun will follow with its shining beams Have good cheer Roses will bloom again Everyone is at war Yelling and screaming at one another I am ready to explode Make your amends A new beginning will be here My friend has convinced me Everything is going to be All right—All right I know Roses will bloom
