After the Storm

We sat in bleachers watching my dad’s softball game at fields surrounded by corn fields on the west side of Slater, Iowa. It was hot and sticky with a subtle breeze that teased of rain. I was nine years old and to me baseball was boring, but it had gotten us out of...

Rock Bottom Recovery

This is the fifth article in our new 7-week series called “Her Story,” stories of ordinary women experiencing, overcoming, or choosing to do extraordinary things. This week’s story is from Jill Stigman, as told to Kathy Banta, who writes about Jill’s...

Why Wait?

My son sat in the kitchen working on his math homework. He was stumped and called me in for help. I picked up a pencil and talked him through the problem, explaining each step. Done!  “Now, you try it,” I said. But, even though he was capable, he resisted and wanted...

An Interview with Jill Geselle from Tree Top Kids

Recently I drove to the north side of the Twin Cities and shared coffee with Jill Geselle of Tree Top Kids. I had asked Jill if I could interview her and learn more about Tree Top Kids, an organization that Jill and her husband, Tony, founded and run. The coffee house...

Flipping the Bird

Not too long ago, I heard a friend share about making a driving error and receiving the one finger salute from the driver of a car nearby. Although she knew she’d been in the wrong, my friend was a little baffled by the reaction. I laughed to myself and thought back...