By the time you hit your 50s, most people are ready for some R&R, meaning rest and relaxation. In Lyn Shipman’s case, R&R would be raising and rearing kids.
Lyn, a wife, mother and florist in Woodstock, GA., has a poignant story of opening her heart and sharing maternal love. Having already raised a stepson, three years ago she and her husband Skip unexpectedly became parents once again to two small children.
For her remarkable mothering skills, Lyn was recently named Teleflora's Favorite Florist Mom.
First a little background: When Lyn married Skip Shipman 28 years ago, he had two children from a previous marriage. He had custody of Josh, 8; his daughter Brandy lived with his ex-wife. Lyn and Josh bonded, she became a stay-at-home mom and the three were a close family.
After Josh grew up and graduated from Duke University, Lyn went back to work. Skip bought her Brenda’s House of Flowers in Woodstock, GA., as a Christmas present in 1998. Josh married and had children, and Lyn delighted in becoming a grandmother, earning the affectionate nickname of “Froggy.”
Meanwhile, Skip’s estranged daughter Brandy had had two children, Gabe and Jade. Upon learning that Brandy was mixed up in gangs and drugs in Houston, the Shipmans tried desperately, but unsuccessfully, to gain custody of the children.
In Skip’s view, what makes Lyn so deserving of the Teleflora title began with a phone call three years ago on April Fool’s Day. A relative in Houston told Skip that Brandy was in jail and if he wanted the kids, then 3 and 1, he should come and get them.
Skip and Lyn immediately flew to Houston, where they saw their two beautiful grandchildren for the very first time. “Everything these two small kids had in the world fit into their little back packs,” says Skip.
Later they found out that the kids, sick and malnourished, had been living in the back seat of their mother’s car. They had never been to a doctor and hadn’t been potty trained.
Lyn has become a stellar mom for these two children and still runs the flower store. As Skip says: “It has been a life-altering experience raising two infants at our age.”
Perhaps most amazing? Lyn has never once complained.
Skip titled his essay “Froggy to the Rescue” and says: “Lyn has come to the rescue for Josh, Gabe and Jade … Lyn has rescued me as well by being my wife.”
And Lyn puts it this way: "The kids just love Pop and Froggy. I know they're happy here."