How Writing Your Story Reveals And Opens Unexpected Treasures

“It’s important to teach our children their heritage. Who are your ancestors? What were their traditions? Each of us has a story to tell. If these stories are unwritten, then how are your children going to know of their parentage?”  ― Linda Weaver Clarke “Every man is a quotation from all his ancestors.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson There […]

The Satisfying Story In A Generational Quilt Completed

“To me, the beauty of a quilt or a dress lies within the stitches and the thought of the person who made them. When you spend time making something with your two hands, you impart love in a way that buying never can.” – Natalie. The Satisfying Story Of A Generational Quilt began earlier this year […]

The Sun Came Bursting Over The Horizon And A New Outstanding Day Arrived

“From the blackness of nothing to the brightness of everything.  The sun came bursting over the horizon and a new day was here.”  Paul Hancock, The Writings of HANCOCK, September 1975 In the past, The Northfield School of the Liberal Arts had a year-end program called, Americana.  It is an opportunity for students and faculty to […]

When A Surprise Truth About Family Story Is Exposed-Do These Three Things

“Fred and August (Rightmeier) came to America in the year 1864 at the age of 14 and 16 years.”  – written by Melinda Rightmeier in the family Bible. As we have explored my family history, surprise truth has exposed details that have delighted, given me pause, and stirred up great gratitude for the courage and […]

How Quilts Embrace And Reflect Their Creators

“The eldest ones said that the laughter and tears are sewn right into the quilt, part and parcel, stitch by stitch. Emotions, experiences, heartbreak, mourning, pain, and regret, stitched into the cloth, along with happiness, satisfaction, cheer, comfort, and love. The finished quilts were a living thing, a reflection of the spirits of its creators.” […]

Your Story Emerging As A Powerful Heirloom

“In a country whose character and circumstances are constantly changing, the little facts and incidents, which are the life of history, soon pass from the minds even of the present generation” – Anonymous As I drove and then walked a revitalized section of downtown Detroit, MI, I navigated to locations provided by a small book […]

What Is So Special About Those Sweet Christmas Earrings?

“Sweet Christmas Earrings are a way to keep memories alive” – Anonymous (modified by Nancy Hancock-Cullen) Ruth Ann Lewis Cullen loved Christmas.  I mean loved it.  She was one of those people who, if allowed to, would have a Christmas tree up all year, one of her favorite boutique stores nearby, Kathyies Import Chalet, had […]

Can Calm And Tumultuous Define The Same Year?

“Nothing conquers the chaos around me like the calm assurance that I am at peace with God”  – Ron Brackin Dear Friends and Family, It has been a couple of years since I did an annual recap.  I almost skipped this year, giving into the lurking sense of uncertainty, but then I began to recount […]

A Safe Place – Where And When Did You Last Feel Safe?

The world can only seem a safe place when we feel safe inside. – Agapi Stassinopoulos “Where And When Did You Last Feel Safe?” was asked recently in a writer’s workshop.  Challenged to describe a safe place in a twelve-minute free-form writing exercise, I was pleasantly surprised where I went. I found myself on my […]