• Childbirth - Children - Parenting - Women

    Three Women and Mother’s Day

    Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 14. The Farmer’s Almanac gives the history of this day, pointing to three women who promoted respect and support for motherhood. In the middle of the 19th century, Ann Reeves Jarvis sponsored Mothers’ Day work clubs. Her goal was to improve the living condition for…

  • Abortion - Childbirth - Faith - Sexuality

    Tears for Loss of Life

    Sadness and tears. It is how I feel for the loss of life. Many in our country have an extreme view of reproductive rights. Individual choices and success take precedent over the gift of life that God gives. My husband and I are reading through the book of Ezekiel. I can’t…

  • Childbirth - Children - Grandparents - Women

    New Life in a Broken World

    In the weeks preparing to visit our new grandson I spent evenings knitting—first a blanket and then a lovey. Knitting is a calming activity. It requires me to stay focused on counting stitches while following a pattern.  In the heavy season of worldwide troubles, my mind rests while I knit. …

  • Childbirth - Faith - Michigan

    Morning Brings Hope

    As a nurse I have worked through the night and welcomed the morning. Before my marriage I worked in the neonatal intensive care unit at the University of Michigan (Holden Unit). I worked the night shift, 7 pm to 7 am.  Around 5am we took turns walking along a corridor…

  • Flowers - Gardening - Herbs - Midwifery - Women

    Herbs in a Nosegay

    This summer I have had more time in the garden. The flowers and herbs are flourishing. I picked a nosegay including these herbs with their flowers: calendula, echinacea, feverfew, lavender, mint, lemon balm and marjoram. Some years ago, when I was working as maternity nurse and Lamaze instructor, I came…

  • Faith - Midwifery - Women

    Strong Women: Midwives and Nurses

    As we look back through history, we come across women who demonstrated faith and courage. Their actions were based on convictions. Some are midwives, and some are nurses. The first book of Exodus records the confrontation between Pharoah and two midwives. Shiprah and Puah did not carry out the Pharoah’s…