What would I tell you about the last five years if you asked me? Dear Busia, this is my letter to you.
5 Years
Lessons on Cupcakes and Timing
The last two weeks have been a whirlwind. I'm not sure how it's already mid February. But in the midst of the wind and rain and the snow and the 50 degree weather turned blizzard I took time to reflect... and there are a lot of lessons in the midst of cupcakes.
supposed to
a poem for the moments when the loss feels big and the love runs deep
belief
If we want to change outcomes we often start with trying to change our actions. But what if we have to go back a few more steps? Because if you start with actions, you’re going to run out of juice and burn out. But if you believe something at your core, the downstream impacts are longer lasting.
Lessons: Sub Zero Edition
My Most Recent Lessons: Sub Zero Edition... (1) Sneezing (2) Self-Doubt (3) Beer (4) Marketing and (5) Mourning
with you
Dear Busia: I wish we could cook together and I could keep learning from you. I miss you immensely. Thank you for loving me so well and so big. Love, Your Girl
time
When the alarm clock goes off, my instinct is not to wake up. It’s to lie there and debate with myself. One morning I debated with God instead.
i listened
Dear Busia, I listened to you tonight. Backing up the files on my laptop I found you and one of our conversations that I just happened to audio record several years ago. You told me about the old house in Chicago, your dogs… the way you took care of me while I was really little,... Continue Reading →
Today I am thankful for … photographs
Actual physical printed photographs. One snuck up on me today as I was cleaning and it stopped me in my path. It was an original without filters or retakes or retouches. It was just a moment in a chair. But I recognize everything in the background. The white and gold lamp that was ceramic on... Continue Reading →
hold hands
On Saturday February 25, 2017, family and friends gathered to hold hands and celebrate the life of my amazing polish grandmother, whom many of us called Busia. I was honored and privileged to give the eulogy at her funeral. What follows are the words I shared, which only give a small glimpse into the immense love... Continue Reading →
connected layers
I love this little hut over the ocean. We dubbed it our coffee hut, the spot we claimed each morning after a walk on the beach. And the roof of this little hut is rather impressive. A patchwork providing shade. One branch would not have been enough. But connected tightly and layered multiple times, it... Continue Reading →
well & good
Some of you are grammar nerds. No judgment, honestly, I love you all. There their they're... you are keeping us from spiraling into lazy language. But I must ask you... Did you do good? (I can hear you cringing) or... Did you do well? My college president felt it was possible to do both and... Continue Reading →
love fights
Have you ever had someone fight for you? Not the "step in and beat someone up for teasing you" kind of fighting... rather the kind of fight where someone pursues you and your love because despite whatever is going on, you are that worth it. This is the kind where someone chases you, (not in... Continue Reading →
reach out
On the heels of Christmas, one fire destroyed my cousin’s house and all of their belongings. Nothing is left. All the new things just gifted and opened are gone. All of the previous Christmases, birthdays, anniversaries, and every day momentos are gone. But… they are alive and unharmed. All eight of them. And then it... Continue Reading →
different winds
The clouds are still rolling in, at 30 mph apparently (so says the weather channel app). It was worse all night, sustained ridiculous winds that never ceased and kept me up. My cup of coffee is pretty important this morning to get me going. And despite my whining over being tired, I am so thankful.... Continue Reading →
perspectives change
My life is not the only storyline in this world. Everyone starts from a different place. Everyone has different circumstances. Everyone has different hurts and pains and joys. In 1 Corinthians it says that love does not demand its own way and yet so often we are frustrated because people don't see a situation the... Continue Reading →
follower
He changed. I changed. We're not the same people we were when we got married. He is a better man than he was when I met him, and he will tell you I am a better woman. So what changed? The advice that we listened to. There was a paralyzed man who was told that... Continue Reading →
reflect
I am a talker. I know this is a shocking revelation to many of you. I believe that words matter a lot, and should be chosen carefully. Our words can confuse, clarify, anger, hurt, help, encourage, support or repair people. It's part of why I loathe curse words, and recoil at myself in horror when... Continue Reading →
it’s simple
We tend to over complicate things. Should I stay here, go there, take this job, buy/sell this thing? What if I told you it doesn't matter. Not really. No matter where you are or go, your job, your purpose in life is to love God and love others. Period. The rest is just window dressing.... Continue Reading →
different lens
You were meant to change the world. You are meant to change the world. Wherever you are, every day in every interaction you have a chance to be an answered prayer. Changing the world doesn't have to be an international service project. It can be a backyard barbecue. Most people long to be loved, to... Continue Reading →
Today I am thankful for… light
When you wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and you flip the switch... you hate the light. You squint. You stumble. You think to yourself, "I know my bathroom. Next time I'm going to figure this out in the dark." But I challenge you tomorrow morning when you're supposed to... Continue Reading →
jessica lynn shull 
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