Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth ChapmanHOLLAND -- The tragic loss of a daughter more than two years ago lingers with singer-songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman.
Nevertheless, he says laughter is definitely part of his current tour, A Night of Music and Hope, featuring his wife Mary Beth and their sons Caleb and Will.
"We wouldn't have been ready for this a year ago," Chapman, 47, said during a phone interview from downtown Nashville, Tenn.
"But we feel now we can begin to laugh again -- it's OK to be silly, because Maria was the goofy factor in the Chapman family," said the five-time Grammy winner.
Maria Sue Chapman, the youngest of the Chapmans' three adopted daughters, was just 5 years old when she was struck by a car driven by her brother in the family driveway.
The family was rocked, and the artist put a hold on his career.
Eventually, Chapman recorded an album ("Beauty Will Rise," released in November) of what he calls "my Psalms" -- musical statements of searching and hope.
Also, Mary Beth has co-written a book -- "Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope" (Revell) -- detailing the couple's story, both pre- and post-accident, and the probe for meaning in their grief.
Now, the family has come together for a string of shows that feature Steven's music, spoken words from Mary Beth, and additional tunes from the band Caleb, which includes their sons Caleb and Will.
Steven said the family initially was concerned about setting too somber a tone with its tour.
"With the idea of a celebration to honor (Maria's) life, we know it will have to be fun and have its moments," Chapman said. "If God can use this to encourage other people, and in turn, help heal us, that will be part of the process."
Chapman will perform some of his new songs, including "Heaven Is The Face," (written just months after Maria's death), and some of his numerous top Christian radio hits through two decades, such as "Live Out Loud," "The Great Adventure" and "Dive."
"Some of those older songs have a whole new meaning now," he said.
IF YOU GO
A Night of Music and Hope with the Chapmans
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Central Wesleyan Church, 446 W. 40th St. Holland
Tickets: $18-$30 (discounts for seniors, students and groups of eight or more), available at StarTickets outlets, 800-585-3737 and startickets.com; $23-$35 day of show
Maria was the youngest of three daughters adopted by Chapman from China. The older two, Shaohannah Hope, 10, and Stevie Joy, 7, were adopted through a program of Grand Rapids-based Bethany Christian Services.
The couple also has an older biological daughter, Emily, who is married and studying in Europe.
The tour is sponsored by Show Hope, a non-profit agency started by the Chapmans that offers financial grants and other assistance to families seeking to adopt.
With donations received following Maria's death, Show Hope built Maria's Big House of Hope, a six-story, 128-bed "healing home" in Luoying, China. The facility, which opened in July 2009, provides medical care for special needs orphans, increasing their chances for adoption.
Mary Beth Chapman's book, co-written with Ellen Vaughn, remained in the top 20 of the New York Times Bestseller list of hardcover non-fiction titles for a month after it reached stores Sept. 1.
"She never wanted to write, speak in public or go on a tour," said Chapman of his wife's newer roles.
"But she said she wanted to see beauty come out of all this in sharing with others for such a time as this."
E-mail the author of this story: yourlife@grpress.com