Catherine Gigante-Brown

" Sure enough, the doorbell rang one early June day and there she was: curvy, seductive body, smooth black skin, bright blue eyes."

All bets were off after 9/11. In a twisted way, it proved to me that worry was fruitless. No one ever saw the terrorist attacks coming.

I’m boycotting you until you start recognizing breast cancer survivors like me by carrying mastectomy bras.

I realized my father was from a generation that never said those three little words. He was saying he loved me without them. But I didn't realize it then.

Why, when I'm cool with being a salt-and-pepper chick, does it so clearly unnerve others?

BCBs are loud and proud and refuse to go down easy. And quietly. We have things to say. We have things to teach. We still have life to live. And damn it, we are and we will. With one breast. With no breasts. With reconstruction surgery.

At the New York City release party for Dayna Kurtz’ latest, Rise and Fall, my friend Nadia leaned over to me and whispered, “Why the fuck

"Remember, this isn’t just happening to you, it’s happening to moms everywhere. It’s not your fault — "

My husband and I agreed: raising a child with an independent spirit who made decisions for himself was a good thing.

Even though there’s no shortage of condoms in the Netherlands, it’s easier if you have your own birth control. Even if your trip isn’t a booty call, you never know! And if desire hits, you’ll be ready with your favorite type of BC and brand.