• Book Reviews - Family

    Meeting Life’s Challenges

    In the past few weeks I have read a couple of books about women overcoming difficulties in life. Sue Detweiler’s book is about the value of prayer. My review of Women Who Move Mountains is here. Kristina Cowan wrote about birth trauma and post partum depression. She has included research…

  • Family

    My Third Trip to Grand Rapids

    This past Monday I made my third trip to Grand Rapids in two weeks. I sat at my mother’s bedside in the hospital through the day and through the night. She has dementia and the hospital stay was traumatic and disorienting. I am thankful that she has been released from…

  • Childbirth - Finland

    The Midwife’s Story

    A number of years ago I read an article about a Finnish midwife. In 1909 she had been at the center of a court case, determining the legality of midwifery in Massachusetts. She had been arrested a number of times (despite the fact that her statistics for live births were…

  • Parenting

    High School Homecoming: Guidance for Our Daughters

    This coming weekend is homecoming for a couple of local high schools. My grandson will be in the marching band for the homecoming parade and football game. It’s an exciting weekend for him. I am remembering the years that my daughters participated in homecoming at their high school:  decorations for…