Written by

Michael Grogan

‘Researching my forebears helped us solve a family mystery’

Let's look at the pros and cons of getting older, says Michael. Source: Stock Photo/Getty Images

‘I’ve been in denial for so long, but now I think I’ve caught Old Age’

‘I’ve been in denial for so long, but now I think I’ve caught Old Age’

"“Well, you might have tripped going down and that might have spelt a greater disaster."

Michael once came home to find his father had kept himself busy in the garden. Source: Pixabay

‘I loved the funny little things my father used to say’

‘I loved the funny little things my father used to say’

'He came from a poor family so such ‘modern necessities’ were not something he enjoyed.

Michael discovered 20 years ago he had kidney issues, and he has changed his lifestyle for the better. Source: Pixabay

‘The reality of living with my life-altering kidney disease’

‘The reality of living with my life-altering kidney disease’

'[I'm] helped along by a handful of pills morning and night.'

Have you had that difficult conversation with your family about 'what comes next'? Source: Pixabay

‘My son asked my plans for when I’m elderly, and it got me thinking’

‘My son asked my plans for when I’m elderly, and it got me thinking’

A loving son wanted to make sure he'd be able to care for his father as he wished. Have you had this chat with your kids?

Australian spectators on day one of the third test match between South Africa in Australia in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo: Gallo Images/Stringer/Getty Images

Our sense of fairness is in tatters and we need to clean up our act

Our sense of fairness is in tatters and we need to clean up our act

Australia prides itself on giving everyone a fair go, but that reputation has been tarnished over the past week.

It matters little that my child is gay, I just want him to be happy. Photo: Model Stock/Pixabay

My protective instinct kicked in when my son told me he was gay

My protective instinct kicked in when my son told me he was gay

"When I found out my sons were gay, I was by then a single parent."

Grief affects us in different ways. Photo: Nathan Cowley/Pexels

‘It’s hard not to imagine any of us not being affected by grief’

‘It’s hard not to imagine any of us not being affected by grief’

"Some days are better than others, but as they say, time is a great healer."

How renovating my house made it my home

How renovating my house made it my home

How renovating my house made it my home

You learn a lot along the way.

Consideration should have been given to the single question of the gay marriage survey, not the possible consequences being drummed up.

‘Can we please just stop the hysteria over same-sex marriage?’

‘Can we please just stop the hysteria over same-sex marriage?’

The world will not end, says community writer Michael. Marriages will still occur. Children will still be born. Love will always win.

Stories that matter

Emails delivered daily

Explore More

Starts at 60