What I Wish I'd Said: And Other Things That Keep Me Up at Night

by Marjie Zacks

Overview

With wit, warmth, and a touch of insomnia, Marjie Zacks explores in her latest book, What I Wish I'd Said: And Other Things That Keep Me Up At Night, the thoughts that keep us up at night - the missed chances, the unspoken truths, and the comebacks we only think of hours too late. From family dynamics and boundary-setting to the absurdities of aging and the decline of customer service, What I Wish I'd Said is a funny, heartfelt collection for anyone who's ever struggled to find the right words at the right time.

This book is for anyone who's ever lain awake at 3 a.m. thinking, "Why didn't I say that?" or "Why did I say that?" From regrets and resilience to customer service gripes and setting boundaries, it's all in there-with a good dose of self-deprecating humor.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781778255359
Publisher:	Marjie Zacks
Publication date:	04/30/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	160
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

What I Wish I'd Said: And Other Things That Keep Me Up at Night is Marjie Zacks' third book. Her first two books, It All Ends Up in a Parfait Glass: A Tribute to My Mother's Wisdom and Tales from The Curio Cabinet, have delighted readers with stories of family, foibles, and the indignities and wisdom of aging. Originally from Peterborough and Ottawa, Ontario, Marjie has an M.A. in Education and has spent thirty-eight years in public relations. Writing is her second career, and she is also a popular public speaker. Marjie lives in the Toronto area where she spends her time with her adored husband and adoring soft coated wheaten terrier, Winnie. She is Bubby to three wonderful grandkids.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

When it's time to say nothing 1

Why do I say yes when I mean no? 3

The revenge of the pantyhose OR sometimes you really should say yes 6

No is a complete sentence OR guess who's coming to dinner? 10

When service disappoints OR profit vs overhead13

My mom taught me 15

Biting my tongue 18

"Your wait time may be longer than usual" 21

Forgiving our own foibles 24

Is this seat taken? 26

Blue Lagoon, part 1: Cutting off my nose to spite my face 29

Blue Lagoon, part 2 31

Keeping cool under all kinds of pressure 34

Welcome to the Savoy . . . where worrying may be justified 37

Frank's prank OR not everyone shares the same sense of humour 42

Be careful what you wish for . . . you just might get it 46

How do you resist the urge to fix? 49

What does one say at a shiva or funeral? 52

When you miss your chance to say goodbye 54

The basement of so many memories 57

When I really should say "Yes!" 61

Letting go 64

The kinder may surprise you after all 67

The Bundt cake 70

Sniffing out the right nose 73

Starting off on the wrong foot 76

Speaking of friends we meet through our dogs 79

Meet my dog . . . and who are you, again? 82

Oh, to be young and driving the seniors home 86

Tongs very much 89

The self-phone generation 92

Did I really say that? 96

What goes around comes around 99

The real end of the story 101

The Good Samaritan 104

Better late than never 106

I wish . . . I could be good enough 109

A look on the bright side 113

Learning to say yes 116

When the rabbi calls 120

My Israeli family 123

The cane mutiny 127

Birds of a feather 132

An eye-opening visit 135

Everyone needs a Kitchen Cabinet 139

The family knish 142

Acknowledgements 145

About the Author 147