Hi, I’m Rebecca. I write books and I write here at This Joyful Mess to inspire everyone to find JOY in the everyday messes of life. Here you’ll find inspiration, educational resources, and so much more. Please explore and connect—I’d love to hear from you!

Rebecca Grabill 12/31/12 Rebecca Grabill 12/31/12

One of THOSE People

I'm becoming one of them. Those mamas with the cell phone poised, snapping low quality digital images. My kids (to post in Facebook), the coffee pot I might buy, so I can compare prices, the kids again. What fun!

I snickered at people like me...

Rebecca Grabill 10/17/12 Rebecca Grabill 10/17/12

Plaguing Starbucks Everywhere: Kidism

We've heard of racism and ageism, sexism and more, but over the weekend we experienced yet another "ism." It could be seen as a sort of reverse ageism, I suppose. It's nothing less than: "Kidism."

Rebecca Grabill 9/20/12 Rebecca Grabill 9/20/12

The Many Questions of Fish: Take Two

"Mom, hey Mama? Is it possible to make a giant robotic stuffed animal to help old people but then the makers make it turn EVIL?"

Rebecca Grabill 7/26/12 Rebecca Grabill 7/26/12

The Many Questions of Fish

Little Fish is in a delightful phase I don't remember St. Nick going through at age 8ish. He asks questions.

Rebecca Grabill 5/28/12 Rebecca Grabill 5/28/12

Baby in the City

My feet are blistered and raw. I can't leave the air conditioned indoors. I have an emotional hangover. I'm certain at least one passenger on the 370 from Chicago to GR is talking about the "horrible crying baby" that ruined her peaceful ride. But what a day!

Rebecca Grabill 4/23/12 Rebecca Grabill 4/23/12

The Seriousness of Poetry

Setting: A poetry workshop at Calvin College's Festival of Faith and Writing. Fourteen attendees and one facilitator sit in plastic chairs arranged into a lopsided circle.

Attendees have just finished their first writing exercise.

Facilitator: We've all had sixty seconds. Shall we read what we've created? Let's hear three or so, then pause to consider what stands out most ...

Rebecca Grabill 7/15/10 Rebecca Grabill 7/15/10

Riverboat, Riverboat Float Me Away!

Wow, what an afternoon aboard a Mississippi riverboat (see, I know those third grade spelling lessons would come in handy - MI SSI SSI PPI). Good times had by all despite my horror at getting on an old yellow school bus. They smell the same, sound the same, feel ...

Rebecca Grabill 1/14/10 Rebecca Grabill 1/14/10

Hamline Universtiy MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults: residency, January 2010

Hamline Universtiy MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults: Highlights from residency thus far?

Rebecca Grabill 7/9/09 Rebecca Grabill 7/9/09

I'm Leaving On a Jet Plane

Heading for Hamline University - my flight takes off at 10am - for their MFA in writing for children and young adults. Ten days of lectures and workshops and...

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