My parents had an experience of life that is as opposite to mine as you can imagine.

New Yorkers, by reputation, are fast-talking, assertive and easily annoyed; I fit right in.

About the time I turned 50, I experienced the profound biological change that often accompanies women at that age. Also, I put two kids in college and lost both of my parents, so I'm no longer somebody's daughter.

It may feel like the more you know about depression and the many forms it can take, the more questions you have. That's how I feel.

Your 40s are a major trough. About the age of 50, feelings of satisfaction begin to rebound and keep rising into your 50s, 60s and 70s, with health being a major factor.

My son has been known to throw a book at the television set when he called for me to come play and I was obviously busy in the box. But I'm told that children of television performers grow up thinking that all mommies or daddies work on TV and that it's no big deal.

My goal is to see that mental illness is treated like cancer.