by MarianBeaman | Dec 13, 2017 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, neighborhood, Quotations
Once upon a time my Grandma Longenecker and Aunt Ruthie welcomed strangers into their home. They hosted Phuong Le from Viet Nam, their first refugee “daughter.” After Grandma died my aunt carried on the tradition opening her door to refugees...
by MarianBeaman | Sep 13, 2017 | blog, Conflict, Family / Nostalgia, Memory, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, neighborhood, Nostalgia, Uncategorized
“Janice, hurry up. This is a catastrophe!” My scream pierced the early morning air. I had bounded up the stairs shortly after 7:00 a.m. to check the bedrooms before the Ruth Longenecker property sale. Prospective buyers were already milling through our aunt’s house...
by MarianBeaman | May 3, 2017 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, neighborhood, Tips, Uncategorized
For nearly four months now, we have been clearing out the house our Aunt Ruthie shared with Grandma Longenecker. My sisters and brother have been doing the bulk of the work so far. But in April help came from some members of Bossler Mennonite Church. Their assistance...
by MarianBeaman | Feb 1, 2017 | blog, meditation, neighborhood, Quotations, Uncategorized
If you are reading this, you have arrived at my new website, marianbeaman.com – welcome! It is still a work in progress. Another introduction is in order: I have been dying for you to meet my new neighbors who live peacefully on the lake behind our patio. After...
by MarianBeaman | Sep 7, 2016 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Literature, Memory, neighborhood, Quotations, Travel, Ukraine, Uncategorized
My writer friend Janet Givens and I have both said Goodbye to houses this summer. She, to a vacation house on a canal in Chincoteague Island, Virginia, and me to our family homestead 12 miles from the beach in Jacksonville, Florida, geographically about 750 miles...
by MarianBeaman | Feb 17, 2016 | Coming of Age, Education, neighborhood, Tips, Uncategorized
“Mom, would you like to volunteer for Challenge Day at Mandarin Middle School in a few weeks?” Joel asked. “I probably would but I would need to know more about it,” I answered. Then my son proceeded to tell me about an initiative at the school he helps sponsor,...
