by Shannon Popkin | May 29, 2012 | Anxiety, Compassion, Differences, Hardship, Kids' Perspective, Mistakes, Rescue
Last week I asked my son who is favorite elementary school teacher was. He named several, but our conversation gravitated toward Mrs. DeKam–an exceptionally special teacher, when we especially needed one.The year before had been so difficult. My son had entered...
by Shannon Popkin | May 14, 2012 | Faith, Family, Wisdom
Just a week before my friend, Angela, was to give birth to twins, her husband got a call before work. They told him not to bother coming in that day. They were laying him off. Without saying anything about it, he left the house as if he were going to work. Instead he...
by Shannon Popkin | May 13, 2012 | Holidays, Hospitality, Kids' Perspective, Women
Once when I was a new teacher, my mom gave me a perm. (It was stylish in those days to frizz your hair out like a big brillo pad.) When I went to school the next day, one of the other teachers said, “Oh, I love your perm! I wish I had enough money to get a...
by Shannon Popkin | Apr 9, 2012 | Christian Growth, Holidays, Marriage, Prayer
It’s Yellow Ball Monday, and Heidi has the ball…When I was in high school, I was convinced I’d marry a certain brown haired, attractively rebellious guy. I prayed and prayed that he would want me as his girlfriend, but God said, “No”. Instead God blessed...
by Shannon Popkin | Apr 3, 2012 | Faith, Fear, Holidays, Media, Teens, Wisdom
Last time, I talked about what I liked–and there’s a lot to like in the Hunger Games. But this time, I’d like to tell you what I found disturbing. I suppose it’s obvious: Rollicking festivities that include the crowd collectively leaning in to...
by Shannon Popkin | Mar 19, 2012 | Compassion, Fear, Funny, Kids' Perspective, Parenting
It’s Yellow Ball Monday, and the Farmer’s Wife has the ball!Work-from-home moms tend to use rather unconventional methods of keeping their children quiet while making business calls. I’m not proud of it, but I used a frog and a bathtub with my three...