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Marion Winik: Personal Essays Since 1991, NPR listeners have been receiving dispatches from Marion Winik's home front, sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking and often both. She has collected and expanded her on-air essays in five books, including her most recent, Above Us Only Sky.
Special Series

Marion Winik: Personal Essays

Since 1991, NPR listeners have been receiving dispatches from Marion Winik's home front.

I Love My Kids — But Give Me a Break

A Pennsylvania mother — who loves her children — also loves to get away from them. And on a recent trip away from her family, she realizes that one of the greatest restorative places for an overworked wife and mother is... an airport waiting lounge.

I Love My Kids — But Give Me a Break

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Opinion

Driveway Moments

A Partially Empty Nest, with Mixed Feelings

In this season, the term "empty nest" has taken on fresh meaning for thousands of parents whose children went off to college for the first time this fall. Commentator Marion Winik counts herself among them. Winik lives in Glen Rock, Pa. She is the author of Above Us Only Sky.

A Partially Empty Nest, with Mixed Feelings

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Karma Pays a Call at a Book Fair Audition

Marion Winik comes to Washington, D.C., to convince a Jewish book fair to let her promote her latest book, Above Us Only Sky, a collection of essays about her life. Can it be a coincidence that she doubts the existence of God in the book -- and that her car is nowhere to be seen when she emerges from her audition? The moral of her story: Know your license plate number!

Karma Pays a Call at a Book Fair Audition

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Opinion

Cleaning House, and Cherishing Memories

Housecleaning is a necessary evil. But at what point do mementoes become clutter -- and when should the memories of a home be taken out to the curb? Commentator Marion Winik pondered those questions recently when she helped clean out her mother's house.

Cleaning House, and Cherishing Memories

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Opinion

A Dead Cat, a Court Date and Parenthood

Commentator Marion Winik recalls a story about a dead cat, a court date and parenthood. She tells us about the last time she felt like a hero -- and how the feeling of omnipotence of that parents have always comes to an end.

A Dead Cat, a Court Date and Parenthood

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Opinion

Mardi Gras Revelry: A Contribution to New Orleans

The rebuilding of New Orleans will take many years and many billions of dollars. Commentator Marion Winik, of Glen Rock, Penn., is making her own small contribution -- she's going to Mardi Gras this year -- and she'd like to invite more people to do the same.

Mardi Gras Revelry: A Contribution to New Orleans

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Setting Sail with Family, Imperfections in Tow

According to the American Society of Travel Agents, cruises are the most popular choice for family reunions. But even at sea, a perfect family vacation is nonexistent, because there is no such thing as a perfect family, according to commentator Marion Winik.

Setting Sail with Family, Imperfections in Tow

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Opinion

From Agnostic to Atheist

A recent Supreme Court case has commentator Marion Winik redefining her religion. She has come to reject the term "agnostic," which is how she once described herself. She says the word isn't strong enough to convey her opposition to the ripple effect of various people's belief in God.

From Agnostic to Atheist

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Opinion

A Girl, a Dog and a Dad: Ghosts in Real Life

It's been hard for commentator Marion Winik to focus on the good in the world lately. She feels overwhelmed by the drumbeat of bad news. The simple sight of a girl, her dog and her father prompts her to think of other girls, other dogs, other fathers, in not-so-ordinary settings.

A Girl, a Dog and a Dad: Ghosts in Real Life

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Opinion

Understanding the Lure of Anti-Depressants

Millions of people struggle with depression every year. Commentator Marion Winik is one of them. She grapples with how one measures happiness, the difference between drugs and medication -- and how unfair human experience can be.

Understanding the Lure of Anti-Depressants

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Opinion

The Case of Kobe Bryant, the Search for Justicw

For commentator Marion Winik, the public's fascination with the on-going rape case against Kobe Bryant is not so much about celebrity, but rather an age-old fascination with finding true justice.

The Case of Kobe Bryant, the Search for Justicw

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Opinion

The Winter Blahs, Big Time

It's still winter in Pennsylvania, and commentator Marion Winik is losing interest. But the "record" winter has shown her that even when you know the odds or predictions, it doesn't change the fact that you still have to plow forward.

The Winter Blahs, Big Time

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Opinion

Seeing His Father's Presence in My Son's Face

Almost a decade ago, commentator Marion Winik's husband died. She says adjusting to the loss can still be tough sometimes. But she has two boys and in them lives her husband and their father's presence.

Seeing His Father's Presence in My Son's Face

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Opinion

Learning About Life, Baking Bread

Commentator Marion Winik has discovered that baking bread reveals the secrets of life, such as the importance of staying home. She says you would be amazed at the wonderful things that happen when you stick around the house for five or six hours.

Learning About Life, Baking Bread

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Making the Marathon a Spiritual Journey

Marion Winik is training to run a marathon — a surprise to herself. The people she trains with, other middle-aged women, have taught her this physical challenge is a spiritual rejuvenation.

Making the Marathon a Spiritual Journey

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