Affirm Grasp

If Susan Hoekstra’s name was typed into the MSU search engine, it would reveal she is a graduate adviser for the College of Music. What it wouldn't say about Hoekstra is that she is also a wife, mother, musician and sexual abuse survivor. Hoekstra wrote the song “Wings” in honor of the 332 individuals who survived sexual abuse at the hands of ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. “It’s really for the victims and I hope somehow they get it, or even the victim’s families," Hoekstra said. "I wanted to capture as much as I could the tenderness, the somberness, empathy and a little inspiration. That’s a hard line to find.” Hoekstra’s roots When news about Nassar first broke on MSU's campus, Hoekstra said she felt waves of emotions.    As a survivor of sexual abuse herself, the reports about Nassar's abuse hit close to home. “I think when this all came out, it triggered a lot for me and because I have been a victim of sexua...

Rollercoasters.  Not a fan. I guess when I was in my tweens I would’ve characterized these rides as exciting, thrilling, stimulating. Something changed. No more interest in them until I became a Mom. Secretly, I secretly wished my daughters wouldn’t enjoy them but at the same time glad their Dad would offer to take them on the scandalous rides. I would watch, praying for physical safety and that the experience wouldn’t emotionally scar them for life. Thankfully it didn’t. Today. I have no use for amusement rides. Yet I think the real reason I’m not interested anymore is because my life feels like a roller coaster ride. Uncertainties, twists and turns and new situations to adjust to. Sometimes I think I personally hold the world’s record for the amount of roller coaster rides I’ve been on. The data is clear.   Moved 23 times, saw husbands through 14 job changes, held 29 different jobs over the years.   Been through divorce, survived physical and sexual a...

The trees are blossoming, the tulips tuliping (my new word) and the daffodils smiling. This time if year reminds you that something is coming…that warmer days are ahead.   It also reminds me that it’s yet another season.  Lately I've reflected on these chapters in our lives, these seasons. God is the same yesterday, today and forever, yet in our walk with the Lord, things change.  Circumstances, jobs, families, us. The seasons. I'm experiencing a new season in my life. My daughters are “flying the nest” as they finish their education, pursue careers and develop intimate relationships. My husband and I, who lived apart for the first 3.5 years of our marriage, are now living together, yet we have such strange schedules that we actually saw each other more when we lived apart. In the past 4 months, we’ve faced unexpected financial challenges and both of us have been laid off work. We remember my mom who recently passed and are rem...

I love yellow Labrador puppies. Sweet, innocent faces, puppy breath and endearing countenance.  Yet they do some really gullible puppy like things. Like chewing on anything - even smelly shoes. They'll eat almost anything and have little self control. But one of the cutest things they do is chase their tail.  Has anyone ever figured that one out yet ? When a puppy chases its tail, he’s on a mission. He goes round and round and doesn’t stop to ask why or concern himself with where he's going.  It’s as if he wants to achieve something, do something. The ironic thing is that he doesn't. He just goes around and around. Not much different than us. As humans, we chase our tails, probably more often than we realize. Stressed, overwhelmed, frustrated, we can't seem to make sense of anything. We lack emotional energy and keep asking the "why" questions.  Why did this happen? Why didn't I do this instead of that?  Why did they get away with that?  ...