by Shannon Popkin | Jul 1, 2012 | Parenting, Published
Recently, as I pulled up to an intersection, I noticed a stop sign that hadn’t been there before. It caught my attention, and I was careful to come to a complete stop before proceeding. The stop sign gave me an idea. If stop signs can help grown ups remember to...
by Shannon Popkin | Jun 22, 2012 | Love, Marriage
“Do you know Ken Popkin?” I asked my friend, Chris. Since Chris was the youth pastor, I figured he might know the guy from our church whom I was being set up on a blind date with.Chris did know Ken, but not well. He promised that if he had a Ken sighting...
by Shannon Popkin | Jun 16, 2012 | Family, Holidays, Love, Parenting
When I was expecting our first baby, I had driven to see my parents in Michigan for a few days over spring break. I was on my way back to Milwaukee–about an hour into the trip–when a car beside me started honking its horn.I glanced over to see a man...
by Shannon Popkin | Jun 14, 2012 | Parenting, Problems, Wisdom
“When would you like them to come? And do you need to be present when our guys get there?” she asked me over the phone. I had already paid for one service call, but the problem had only resolved momentarily. Now it was back.”Well, the sooner the...
by Shannon Popkin | Jun 5, 2012 | Disagreement, Hospitality, Marriage
I wanted to buy some new sofas. Ours are at least ten years old, and the leather is all cracked and worn. I’m embarrassed every time we usher company into that room, but when I started pointing out new sofas in catalogs, Ken said, “Ours are fine! Who cares...
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...