My husband, Isidore, works in Information Technology. He is also a Dad. One of his jobs provides a salary, recognition, and big handshakes of appreciation. The other one, uh, not so much. But I know the real deal: while it’s important that all those computers run smoothly, it’s the 24/7, thankless, drain-your-bank-account Dad job that … More The Importance of Being Dad
Today, people in Grand Rapids will be celebrating one of the city’s greats: Dr. John “Johnny” MacKeigan, who died Sunday of advanced-stage cancer. Dr. MacKeigan, was a prominent surgeon in the city for decades, was former vice president and chief medical officer for Spectrum Health, co-authored dozens of publications, and served on countless boards. He … More A Legacy of Kindness
While the political candidates seem to have left this summer’s heat wave in the dust, I’m still troubled by what it portends about the planet’s health. And this preoccupation is popping up in everything from what bedtime stories I choose for the kids, to the sketches of dried up flower stalks and brittle leaves appearing … More Drought and LOVE: The Kindergarten Solution to Climate Change
It’s that time of year again when things get a little crazy. Strike that, a lot crazy. So I thought it was high time for the Peace Bird to fly our way. This little guy—imagined and drawn by my six-year-old—hangs above my desk, reminding me daily to “choose peace.” Choosing peace is not the most … More The Peace Bird
As tempting as getting trampled in a Black Friday stampede sounds, we opted instead to stay home and do almost nothing this Thanksgiving holiday. Of course we managed to cook and stuff ourselves on Thanksgiving day, but after that we mostly stayed in our pajamas, lazing around on the couch and watching that game where … More Time to Read
Crap, I cut my ankle again. Why does that darn bone stick out so far anyway? Normally, I wouldn’t give this minor wound a second thought if it hadn’t been for our family’s run-in with MRSA. If you haven’t had an up close and personal encounter with that acronym (good for you!), but please read … More Back to School: Beware the Green Knee
There are nights when my husband collapses on the couch after finally getting the kids to bed, and jokes, “I can’t wait until they go to college.” I laugh because I know exactly what he means. And I also want to cry because I know we didn’t have kids just to rush them out the … More Parenting as (Hazing) Spiritual Discipline
When my daughter told me that a boy called her “the meanest girl at camp” for no reason, I had my doubts. Sure enough, later she admitted that splashing him repeatedly in the pool probably had something to do with it. As I struggled to help her see things from his point of view, her … More Teaching Empathy, Being Empathy
Listen up, folks, there’s a new Decorator in town, and she’s rad, opinionated, resourceful and is sure to make a splash in the design world. While I was making dinner the other night she completely “redefined” our front landing. It’s a signature statement with a sophisticated use of white punctuated by bold flashes of color. … More The Decorator Strikes Again
My three-year-old son rests his head on my shoulder while I pore over the weather forecast. “Oh look,” I deadpan. “More rain.” Engrossed in my gloom over the cloudiest, rainiest spring in memory, he startles me with a sudden shout: “Oh Mommy, my friends are coming! My friends are coming today!” I look at him … More Conquering Fear, One “Friend” at a Time
The Harmony of Opposites 