Monthly Archives: January 2011

>Kissing Mark

Posted on January 31, 2011 by shandaoakley

>It took a long time for Mark to kiss me. We met at a gym in Harare in 1985. I guess, for that matter, it took him a long time to even talk to me. He stood at the door … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

>My Egg

Posted on January 30, 2011 by shandaoakley

>Joining a mega church was hard for me. Having always attended smaller churches, there was never enough I could do. There were so many opportunities to use my gifts and abilities for God that my biggest challenge was knowing when … Continue reading →

Posted in Gifts, Serving God | 2 Comments

>Life and Death and Reuniting

Posted on January 27, 2011 by shandaoakley

>Some things in life you just don’t plan for. A person enters your world and consumes your time and emotions, leaving you depleted and exhausted. Then they disappear and life goes on as usual. At least it does for you. … Continue reading →

Posted in death, friendship | 4 Comments

>Through Both Eyes of a Mom

Posted on January 23, 2011 by shandaoakley

>My daughter and I went on a mission trip two years ago. We were to interpret for a team of Doctors and Nurses from Michigan going to Honduras. It thrilled me to observe my fourteen-year-old daughter interacting with the adults … Continue reading →

Posted in Medical, Missions, motherhood | 2 Comments

>Pride and Childbirth

Posted on January 18, 2011 by shandaoakley

>I grew up in Zambia and, let me tell you, there is nothing wimpy about the African bush women. They work all day, gather wood, build the fire, cook a meal and walk to the stream to carry water back … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, childbirth, pride | 3 Comments

>No Return

Posted on January 14, 2011 by shandaoakley

>Twenty hears ago today I was taken to the hospital, six weeks early to deliver twins. Unable to stop the contractions, the Doctors let my labor run its course and two tiny beautiful babies pushed themselves into this world. They … Continue reading →

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>Lest I Judge

Posted on January 10, 2011 by shandaoakley

> I’ve often wondered; how could Dulce’s mom abandon her at birth and leave her at the hospital? How could so many mothers do that?Why would a mother I knew leave the hydrocephalic unit of the hospital and take her … Continue reading →

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>Dulce Maria

Posted on January 10, 2011 by shandaoakley

> My first visit to Hospital Mario Rivas in, Honduras was to interpret for a medical team. It was then that I first laid eyes on Dulce Maria; the tiny, skinny body with an enlarged head out of which stared … Continue reading →

Posted in abandonment, babies, compassion | 2 Comments