Current Release: April 28th, 2009 | Vol. XXX Iss. 10

PHOTOS BY ERIC ZITZ

Sijswerda shows no sign of slowing down

By Maja Doniewski

majad3@vwc.edu

Still pink in the cheeks from her run on the treadmill, Peggy Sijswerda sits down with a smile on her face and a bag full of ungraded papers.

“I just got my first stack of papers from my intro to journalism class.” Sijswerda said delightfully. A first time teacher at Virginia Wesleyan College, a mother of three and publisher and editor of her very own woman’s magazine, “Tidewater Women,” Sijswerda shows no sign of slowing down.

“We were working on grammar in class the other day and one of my students genuinely said, ‘This is fun!’ It took me by surprise, but it’s worth it when students learn and engage at the same time.” Sijswerda said.

You can see her love for children and teaching, however she also has a passion for writing. “Teaching has been my dream for a long time, but I also write travel stories for other magazines,” she said. “It’s perfect for me because I love to travel!”

Sijswerda took a hiatus for a year, packing up the family and moving to Holland. “After six months in Holland we went camping through Europe for six more months. Our kids were home schooled at the time.”

“You can make mistakes….. wait a minute…” Laughing and leaning forward in her seat, Sijswerda said, “ I am trying to make a good quote here, and I am messing up… Okay, you can make mistakes, but the important thing is, you benefit from them.” Sijswerda says when asked if she had any doubts of just picking up and leaving with her family.

“The truth is we had four children, three boys and a little girl. ….We lost our little girl when she drowned. It’s every parents nightmare and when we decided to take that family trip…it was to look forward again…it was a good thing for us, as a family.” Sijswerda said looking down. I could have sat and talked with her all day. She is a woman that encompasses strength, commitment, love, passion, drive and soul. She is the ideal woman to have her own magazine.

“I want to inspire other women to pursue their dreams,” she said. If you’re not happy with what you’re doing…find your passion. I just read a book that said, If you don’t like your job more than 20 percent, then quit.” Sijswerda said.

As a woman that has gone through a very tough time, Sijswerda thinks every woman should focus on herself more.

“Women need to give themselves more attention. We are such caregivers, and at times we neglect to take care of ourselves.”

Sijswerda, had a creative visualization and put it on paper. She said, “When you want something in life…put it out here, think it, feel it, visualize it!”

Having enough time to devote to both teaching and her magazine is tough at times, but she has a focus.

“I want to do quality work, not only with my business, but also my family and teaching.” With everything she has on her plate, Sijswerda is adding one more thing.

“I am working on a book right now, It’s a memoir framed around my family, our trip to Europe and our trials and tribulations.”

I am sure Sijswerda will not disappoint with this book, a memoir of a life filled with all the things that make us who we are, it’s sowwmething we can all relate to. Before our time was up, she says, “Once More to the Lake, it’s a creative essay…on growing old and lessons learned, a memoir by E.B White. I find it inspiring.”

Therefore, I leave you with a quote from “Once More to the Lake.” To me it sums up Sijswerdas’ family trip, to you it may bring a different memory.

“It seemed to me, as I kept remembering all this, that those times and those summers had been infinitely precious and worth saving. There had been jollity and peace and goodness.” – E.B. White.