Already wondering how you're going to fill those long summer days? We've got 101 fun ideas to keep you and the kids (or grandkids) busy! Plant a garden Find a pen pal Start a new collection Climb a tree Make crock-pot apple sauce Play in the sprinkler (affiliate link) Pick strawberries Water balloon toss Try essential oils (tips on using lavender from My Blessed … [Read more...]
3D Printers: The Future Is Now
I puffed away at my morning stretches and exercises. The radio was on, as a distraction from the pain and boredom. But I was composing a mental to do list and only half listening. Until. Until the announcer said something about 3-D printers and tracheomalacia. He went on to define the medical term my husband and I first heard in 1982. The doctor had used it to explain why our newborn baby's … [Read more...]
His Delight
We held the glowing cake in his line of remaining vision, behind him and to the left. Four candles flickered as the air swept currents of “Happy Birthday” notes swirling around our living room. Calvin’s eyes danced with excitement at the candles, his grandpa’s arms and the siblings crowded around. This fourth birthday was the first to see him alert and lively, not teetering on the brink of … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Art of Raising Children with Disabilities
I am so excited to share my new book, The Spiritual Art of Raising Children with Disabilities with you! Here is an excerpt from the Introduction, to give you an idea of what it's all about. It was written for you, dear reader! Henri Nouwen is one of the great spiritual teachers of my life. I never met him in person, but I knew him intimately through his books on the spiritual life and his … [Read more...]
Crisis Survival for Parents
They say you can't get struck by lightning twice. They were wrong. We sat silently in the car during the long drive to the University of Michigan Hospital. We'd been in a terrific struggle of care and survival with our disabled son, Calvin, and were struggling to manage his care. All the while I kept noticing our other son, Noah, was not looking well and was complaining of leg pain constantly. … [Read more...]
A RARE Kind of Love
There are so many things that caught me by surprise when I became a mother. I always knew I wanted to have children, but I was never really in touch with my expectations beyond that. I certainly never anticipated that I would become the mother of children with special needs. When our son burst joyfully into the world over 13 years ago, he instantly placed us in that role with the mere testing of … [Read more...]