Joanie Schirm

  • April is an important month for me.

    April is an important month for me.

      My daughter Kelly was born in April 1970.   April 1942: my grandfather Arnost wrote the last letter he would ever write to my dad. My father received it in Ecuador three years later. He saved it when he moved to Florida after WWII; he just didn’t tell his kids he had it.  My…

  • “7 Days on the Yangtze” …a birthday gift for my mom 20 years ago

    “7 Days on the Yangtze” …a birthday gift for my mom 20 years ago

    Today is my mom’s birthday- February 7.  If she were still alive, she’d be two years from turning 100. She ranks up there high as one of the best moms ever; also one of the most unique moms among my Florida childhood friends as she was born in China.  Although there are several billion people…