When I think of Carolyn, I remember her smile and her courage. Hobbled by breast cancer for years, it could not suppress her spirit.

I think about her especially during October-- National Breast Cancer Awareness month—when we are reminded once again by the National Breast Cancer Foundation of how important early detection is.

Carolyn was my brother-in-law’s older sister. I had long admired her when I was growing up in our small town in Iowa. In my eyes, Carolyn had ...

Advocates for preventing swine flu transmission are suggesting a hand bump instead of a handshake. Fine. But in my mind, this presents many questions and the huge potential for social dilemmas and discomfort.

We all know the hand bump, seen often on the athletic field. It’s bending the arm at the elbow and raising the wrist to knock knuckles with a similarly close-fisted colleague. That works well on the football field as an expression of mutual acknowledgment for a job well-done. ...