2026 is starting with some big changes in the Hager household. Our youngest, Shayan, moved out last month. Two weeks before Christmas. Seriously, kid?! What are you trying to do to your mother?! Sheesh. I’m kidding, of course. He’s very happy, and we’re truly thrilled for him. He and his…
By Mahshid F. Hager “Their country stinks.”“They’re garbage.”“We don’t want them here.” When language like this is spoken by the president of the United States, it is not just a political position. It is psychological warfare against millions of people who already carry unimaginable histories of threat, loss and displacement.…
By Mahshid F. Hager I still remember the day I went to the U.S. Embassy in Frankfurt to apply for my F1 visa. I was so nervous. The night before, I triple-checked my documents: signed application form, TOEFL scores, I-20 and acceptance letter from Mesa College in San Diego, my…
By Mahshid Hager A former US president was almost assassinated. But we went out to party anyway. I know how this sounds. Let me explain. I was in Nashville on July 13th. I was there to teach an intensive 4-day course about trauma treatment to a group of psychotherapists and…
Photo by Hybrid on Unsplash July, 2o, 2020 By Mahshid Hager I started writing again today. Editing my solo-show script, to be exact. I hadn’t touched any of my writing projects since March. I have felt too worn out, too disoriented, too exhausted to put anything on paper. But there’s…
Feb. 5th, 2020 Today Donald J. Trump was acquitted on both articles of impeachment. Senators representing roughly 150 million Americans voted for the acquittal, ensuring the president does not suffer any consequences for his “inappropriate behavior”. Senators representing roughly 170 million Americans voted to convict him but their votes did…
By Mahshid Hager I’ve been thinking about mid-life a lot lately. Maybe it’s because I’m 47 and 50 seems just around the corner. Or the fact that I’ve been having a shoulder ‘issue’ that seems more persistent and requires a little more attention and care than I’m used to allocating…
Photo by Trent Yarnell on Unsplash By Mahshid Hager It’s like you had just come out of a terrible relationship and then found this guy…. He was outright dreamy, tall, handsome, well respected, good head on his shoulders. Heck, there were even rumors that he saved someone’s life once. So, you started dating…
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash By Mahshid Hager I once was a refugee child Scared out of my mind and confused My body weak, my senses numb I had seen things no one should. I had lived through violence and war I said goodbye to my home, my family and everything I…
By Mahshid Hager Once again, there’s “unrest” in Iran. Once I again, I hold my breath, praying for peace and everyone’s safety as the violence ravages through the streets of my homeland. The images on tv, so familiar, yet so far removed from my reality today. They wake up the…