Managing loss of life, and being with your gay self, in your gay marriage with Mike Keren

You’re parents are aging, you’re settled in your gay life, and all of that gives you plenty of material to come out of the closet as a comedian…until you do. Then life throws you curve balls, and then the comedy comes to you not on stage, but through the words of your book, addressing the challenges of funerals, caring for parents, and managing your gay relationship. So let’s dive in and explore – Four Funerals, No Marriage with gay author Mike Keren.

About Mike

Mike Keren is a clinical psychologist with advanced training in psychoanalysis and family therapy. He currently maintains a private practice with adults and couples in central New Jersey, although in the past he has worked in a variety of community and correctional facilities. Although he has a general practice he has a particular interest in working with caregivers as well as helping families talk about end of life issues.

Mike enjoys a challenge in his free time and has explored the world of competitive gay tournament bowling (several trophies and a bit of prize money), golf (bored to tears) as well as stand-up comedy. His foray into stand-up comedy even became the subject of a friend’s senior thesis at film school. Mike worked the open mic and bar comedy scene for several years but decided to leave the stage to the younger folks. He decided then to channel his humor into creative writing. His first book is Four Funerals, No Marriage, plunges the readers into Mike’s caregiving journey when his loving but difficult parents come to visit and both end up hospitalized over the course of one weekend, followed shortly by his Mother-in-Law also needing care. Keren finds support for the stresses of caregiving over the next three years from his relationship, his friends, and a special affinity to the character of Aurora Greenway from “Terms of Endearment”. Told with humor and compassion the book will bring laughter and tears, sometimes at the same time.

Mike is supported in his endeavors by his loving husband, Tom, and their two canine children, Carley and Clyde. They divide their time between central New Jersey and the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.