Designing a life of peace, joy and laughter.
Is a chapter just about to end for you? For so many of us, the end of another school year is approaching. Perhaps you are not a sentimental person, but most of us get caught up in daily life and forget the essential things that matter most to us. Here are a few things that … Continue reading Celebrate.
Can you picture your childhood house? This was mine from age 0-26, in Villa Park,IL. When my parents bought it, my dad said, “Mary, this is going to be your dream house.” Actually, my mom dreamed of a house with a big front porch like the one she grew up in. But year after year … Continue reading Dream House: 505
Most of you know my dad, Chuck Schipma. Back in February of 1980, Chuck bought two identical books for his two very similar blonde daughters, aged 7 and 5. Our parents often did this, bought us the same things so that life felt fair. Chuck wrote a message in each of these identical books to … Continue reading The Power of Words to a Kid.
It is Christmas morning in the early 1980’s. My older sister Chriss and I are in our long winter nightgowns and bedhead, surrounded by mint-green wrapping paper, halfway through the presents under the tree. Dad’s coffee is steaming in his hands, and Mom walks into the living room with Pillsbury cinnamon rolls and a stack … Continue reading Memory Makers, Part 1.
On December 23, 2013, my dad took me to Meijer. We were due to have our fourth baby in about a week. Dad heard me say that we were ready for the baby, but we just needed one more thing – one of those Velcro swaddle blankets. There was a winter storm going strong outside, … Continue reading Weight.
Jamie and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary this week. In July, my parents marked 50 years of marriage, and they found a way to host a small party with siblings, despite COVID-19 restrictions. We played a video of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends reflecting on my parents’ marriage. Two of my aunts … Continue reading “Each for the Other.”
Yesterday morning there was one quiet hour before everybody else got up.There is something about sitting in complete silence with just coffee and God that I need in the morning. I woke up with fatigue, and anxiety about the day, and after an hour, I left my corner of the couch with enough caffeine and a new lens to look at everything through.
This is my Grandma Schipma, Marcie. I love this photo of her looking at my son Isaiah, because I feel like that is how she looked at all of us. Like she treasured us. She makes me think of love and generosity and hospitality and home. Generosity. When we rode our bikes to her house, … Continue reading May His favor be upon you
Two weeks ago, Jamie and I tried to celebrate a 20th anniversary. 20 years since our first date! We walked down Wealthy street, all the local restaurants were closed, the chairs up on the tables. The sun was out, people were walking, socially distanced, healthy. These restaurants wanted badly to be open and adding value, … Continue reading “Now, we are doing this.”
