Happy Halloween! This holiday reminds me of the many things Ed and I don’t have in common. I grew up in Paraguay and was raised by seriously religious Mennonite missionary parents. My husband Ed came from an upstate New York Irish Catholic family. Our upbringing…
My father in 1941 Happy “Indigenous People’s Day” or “Happy Columbus Day!” Which of those two labels for this holiday is right for you relates to questions about right and wrong that I’d like us to consider. Our world today is increasingly polarized between…
My Family of Origin Years ago, Ed and I were at a Thanksgiving dinner with six other couples in the home of close friends. We lived far away from any of our blood relatives and were pleased to be invited for the holiday. Our host…
At the MCC library in Akron, PA This week I met my parents — for the third time. Like most of you, I met them for the first time as a child, and then as we grew older together. I came to know them for the second time…
My parents in 1951 In 1951, my parents Dr. John and Clara Schmidt founded and ran a leprosy station in Paraguay, South America. After 20 years of devoted service to ease the suffering of cast out untouchables, they were asked to leave. They’re gone now….
Mother’s Day always brings up complicated memories of my first taste of motherhood nearly 50 years ago, in November of 1969: Something seemed terribly wrong. My lower abdomen was swollen and sore. I could no longer keep food down, and had lost nearly ten…