Our personal responses to the coronavirus are shaped by many things, including our understanding of history. I've been thinking about the Flu of 1918, which has always been very real to me, perhaps because I heard stories about it from my father. He was named Nicholas after an uncle who died in that … [Read more...] about A Life Cut Short by the Flu of 1918
The Christian Reformed Church & Woman Suffrage
In his retirement, my father did research and writing about the denomination he loved. One of those articles traced the fight within the Christian Reformed Church over the issue of women voting. When he first told me about the research, I thought my dad meant women voting in church -- fights I could … [Read more...] about The Christian Reformed Church & Woman Suffrage
God’s Sister: Reflections on What Makes Someone a Sister
This is a guest post by my sister, the Rev. Susan Joy Huizenga, who donated her kidney to Buddi on September 12, 2016. Related posts are archived here. I visited my new sister Buddi yesterday. We enjoyed ourselves. Her grandson, Samar, 18 months old, acts as if he likes me. Buddi says "He loves … [Read more...] about God’s Sister: Reflections on What Makes Someone a Sister
Blood is Thicker Than Water, a sermon for Good Friday, John 19:16-30
This is a guest post by my sister, the Rev. Susan Joy Huizenga. She preached this sermon on Good Friday (4/14/17) at the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center; Saginaw, MI. Some of you know Susan from an earlier?post about being a living kidney donor. One day when I was about twelve years old, my sister … [Read more...] about Blood is Thicker Than Water, a sermon for Good Friday, John 19:16-30
Please Pray for a Kidney Transplant
You know how some people would "do anything for you"? My sister Susan is making that phrase real. She is donating her kidney to a woman who attends her church. That's right -- one Sunday during Announcements, it was reported that Buddi, a refugee from Nepal whom the church was assisting, needed a … [Read more...] about Please Pray for a Kidney Transplant
Counting Dad’s Days
Dad's medications were already organized by the time I arrived at the house. It was the Tuesday before Father's Day. Two identical trays had been labeled with a Sharpie: Week 1 and Week 2. Getting Organized for Death I noticed the plastic organizers on the dining room table, and for a moment … [Read more...] about Counting Dad’s Days
Obituary for My Dad, Nicholas J. Huizenga
Nicholas John Huizenga, of Grand Rapids, MI died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on June 19, 2016. He was 90 years old. Nick is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joan Huizenga (nee Katte); their children, Mary Lynn (Roger) Wesorick of Wyoming, MI, Timothy (Annette) Huizenga of … [Read more...] about Obituary for My Dad, Nicholas J. Huizenga
Remembrances of My Dad, Nicholas J. Huizenga
REMEMBRANCES by Timothy, Ruth, and Susan Joy from the Memorial Service, 22 June 2016 by TIMOTHY HUIZENGA My Dad lived both a conventional and unconventional life. He remained faithful to what he saw as the best parts of his tradition while sometimes pursuing a different … [Read more...] about Remembrances of My Dad, Nicholas J. Huizenga
Pausing in the Swirl of Life
Have you ever looked forward to an event, only to have your plans crumble? "Life intrudes" we say. Or "God laughs when we make plans." Responding quickly to change can be difficult. At least it is for me. If you know people of Dutch descent, you will understand. We are not known for our … [Read more...] about Pausing in the Swirl of Life
A Heron Rookery in the Spring
I didn't mean to become a birdwatcher. It's one of the results of long-term marriage, I suppose, the eventual bleed-over of hobbies. Life is easier is you like doing the same things. And if you like to watch birds, you'll like the springtime. Between migration and nest-building, there's a lot to … [Read more...] about A Heron Rookery in the Spring
Final Words
About two months ago we celebrated my father's 90th birthday. When I arrived at my parents' home the night before the event, my mom handed me a typed page that said at the top: "Dad's Final Words." It was rather startling. I wondered if I had missed some family news! What the page contained were … [Read more...] about Final Words
#HalloWeekends #CedarPoint
Cedar Point is America's Roller Coast! Dorky but true.?For each of the past 22 years, I've spent an August day there with approximately 40,000 of my fellow citizens. Since my in-laws live nearby, Cedar Point is part of the magic of our Annual Family Reunion. (You can read a 2013 blogpost?about … [Read more...] about #HalloWeekends #CedarPoint