More from an American in Paris

Of all the places to visit in France, Omaha Beach was on our Top 3 list. Seeing thousands of white crosses, a few crumbling bunkers, and the uneven terrain from World War II bombers pelting the shoreline left an indelible mark on our hearts. Over nine thousand American military members are buried above the beach.…

An American in Paris

While walking 6.3 miles to the Eiffel Tower, we accidentally discovered the Love Lock Bridge in Paris. I almost missed this Pinterest destination because I was admiring all the French architecture as we crossed this famous footbridge. Yes, I left my husband of 35 years a padlock declaring my love. But after reading about the…

London Dairies

Art speaks a universal language. Right? So, here’s a question to think about: How does art create community? I thought about this question as I waited in huge lines with people from all over the world. Or as I tried to squish up close to a Van Gogh work. Although I couldn’t speak the same…

A Paint Brush That Speaks

My definition of being a human who cares about her world began to change in 2011, when I collided with Josephine and other Congolese refugees living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. At the time, my knowledge of Congo didn’t extend beyond a country located on the map. For the next year, I began to research Congo’s…

Josephine’s Courage

Told in Josephine’s own words “My husband and I heard a man knock on the door. The door was largely open. Soldiers were emerging inside the house; we made a loud noise and asked rescue to anyone who could hear us. “I started to cry, and my husband cried too. I could not imagine that…