Author Archives: Ed Kowalski

I’ve learned the hard way—there comes a point when holding things together just isn’t worth it. Meryl Streep once said, “Let things fall apart—stop exhausting yourself trying to hold them together.” She was right. Some things aren’t meant to last. Some people were never meant to stay. And forcing what’s already breaking only ends upContinue reading “You Know What Needs to Be Said—So Say It”

I keep this photo in my office. It’s a reminder of what real suffering looks like. Her name was Czesława Kwoka—a 14-year-old Catholic girl from Poland, deported to Auschwitz with her mother during the Nazi occupation. Shortly after they arrived, a guard beat her in the face for not understanding orders in German. Then, thisContinue reading “Never Forget”

My high school has, recently, published a number of photos of its newly admitted class of 2028 and I’ve enjoyed seeing these pictures. It’s been 51 years since I first entered Xavier. I see myself in these newly admitted ‘brothers’. Proud, happy, a bit scared; all on display. These young men have no way ofContinue reading “Future Sons of Xavier”

Ulvade, Texas. A city that now takes it place along side Parkland, Buffalo, Columbine, Sante Fe, Newtown and many others. 19 kids…19. Innocent lives lost and families that will forever be altered. 19 kids. All at an age where their biggest concern should be fractions, the end of the school year, little league,cub scouts, girlContinue reading “19 Kids”

From the Urban Dictionary:Eddie’s are extremely nice guys, are incredibly attractive for not only physical appearance but also their great sense of humor, they thrive on making others laugh and are very intelligent however having such a laid back attitude is their down fall. Surrounded by friends, an Eddie is a one in a million.Continue reading “I’ll always be an Eddie.”

Most divorced dads I have known over the years have had weekends and one night a week with their kid(s), at best. Sometimes every other weekend. And it’s no slight on how each custody agreement comes together. There are a million factors that play an important role in this decision. No judgment.The judgment is whatContinue reading “Just call me a Dad….”

It’s graduation season again. The ceremonies seem to get more elaborate and there seem to be more and more of them. Pre-school. Primary-school. Middle-school. High-school. Under-grad. Grad-school. Everyone gets a ceremony. These days it’s all virtual as well. It’s like spring-training for wedding season–lots of wobbly-high heels and clip-on ties. I must confess, I’m aContinue reading “Pomp and Circumstance”

Stop showing up for people who have no interest in your presence. I know your instinct is to do everything to earn the appreciation of those around you, but it’s a boost that steals your time, energy, mental and physical health. When you begin to fight for a life with joy, interest and commitment, notContinue reading “It Takes a Lifetime to Learn”

This morning, WKIP’s Hudson Valley Live Show interviewed Rob Astorino, former Westchester County Executive and current Republican candidate for Governor. https://clyp.it/xclnw1uv

Former Orange County NY Executive Edward Diana and two other officials with the Orange County Industrial Development Agency plead guilty to numerous felony charges in Goshen yesterday. The agency’s former managing director Vincent Cozzolino plead guilty to the most serious charge of corrupting government and must pay $1 Million in restitution with 5 years ofContinue reading “NY, Where Corruption is King”

Random Sunday morning thoughts. Recognize that the people who you went to High School with should always remain your friends precisely because we share the silly, not the serious. Because we tell the same funny stories. Because we knew each other when we were at our happiest and most innocent.• It’s a safe bet thatContinue reading “RANDOM THOUGHTS”

This week, I got the word that a former teacher of mine, Mike Sehler SJ passed away. The fragility of life is something that I, like a lot of people, don’t stop to consider.I first met Father Sehler in ’75. He introduced me to James Joyce/James Agee. A quirky, intellectually gifted and, yes, sometimes arrogantContinue reading “Mike Sehler SJ”