A grace she has earned......

With each piece of stemware, china, candle, and trinket that was unwrapped from its' travels,a vibrant, worldly and full life unfolded before me. Catherine's beautiful journey to where she is today was documented by the many pieces of souvenirs she's collected along the way. Spending a mere 4 hours with her taught me so much about the heartache and love that followed Catherine. Her home was wiped off the map by Hurricane Charlie a month after she lost her husband, and she managed to muster through the devastation and heartache with true grace. Certain photos and objects brought such joy to her as she reminisced how each item dignified her life time and time again.Catherine was reading her life story to me, to which I saw a sadness and resignation over most of it being over, and now it was a matter of watching the days turn to nights and minutes unfolding into hours. I cleary saw how strong and independant she had thought herself, but no such assurance displayed itself today.She often tried convincing herself that life is good no matter her place in it, yet the years had diminished a confidence and pride she onced carried. A very real sadness lie vigilant as it tried to convince Catherine of her diminished worth, a worth that often accompanies the aged and alone. Too often our seniors devalue their importance and begin to prematurely wither along with their bodies.Catherine has nothing to apologize for. She is a mother, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a grandmother, a professional, a friend and a warrior.There isn't enough time for me to convince Catherine of her continued worth to so many who love her dearly.She mustn't forget her significant place in this world, and she needs to know that her spirit would be truly missed by those that have loved her forever...and by us lucky few that spend but a brief time with her. I can't expect more time with Catherine than what it allotted us, but I can expect that the hugs we exchange last our lifetimes. By the end of my earthly stay, I can only hope I attain half the grace and courage that Catherine carries. Tomorrow I fear is our last day together, for the boxes will be discarded, her little space made cosy, the clutter from her move removed,and my services no longer needed. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to meet Miss Catherine, and hopefully our short friendship will sustain a lifetime....

The Office has been identified and uncovered!

What a sense of accomplishment! Catherine did more ''homework'' than was asked of her, which so thrilled the teacher in me, and today's labour was worth the sweat! We found the office area that was cloaked in boxes, organized all the crossword puzzles down to one file, enlisted many a name into the address book and even found time to laugh and be silly! I suggested Catherine start a corner store that sold calendars, pens, stickers, markers and clips! No homework for dear Catherine tonight. She was ordered to relax, to which she quipped,''Could you spell that please''! Another day, another hug, another friend in the making...

Proud little peacocks we are....

Catherine and I did not need any duct tape, for we stayed on task like two pros. I sensed how nervous she was to find some order and peace, hence we both had the same goal to accomplish. She had a doctor appointment and sheepishly aked if I would accompany her, to which we found her a permanent physician, and a great deal of relief. We rid areas of yellow sticky notes, organized new files and phone numbers, even managed sorting through a candle box! It wasn't difficult mustering empathy for this very proud woman who apologized at every turn for overtaxing my bones. Relocating to a new country, changing all personal information, finding new caregivers, dealing with insurance and renewals,taxes and banking galore, I reassured her she had every right to feel overwhelmed and somewhat confused. Having cleared our first desk of clutter, Catherine's hovering grey cloud slowly shifted. She proclaimed I was exactly what she needed. Tomorrow we tackle her past life documents, clear another area, discard another box, fill another garbage bag, and free Catherine's burden that keeps her from enjoying herself. Decluttering chaos declutters the mind.She needs to find peace, and I intend on finding it for Catherine.Our time ends with a sigh of relief, Catherine wanting to know if she has any homework. Why yes you do Miss Catherine, put your feet up and relax! My glory comes by way of a gentle kiss on the cheek and a warm hug full of gratitude. Tomorrow's another day.....

Lovely Lunch with Leah....

87 years of love, heartache, children, grandchildren, sorrow, humour, faith, church, friendships, and optimism! This life list belongs to Leah.We had the humble pleasure of breaking bread (egg salad sandwiches) with an adorably witty and wise gal that Tom and I met at the Anglican church. The very moment this dynamo package of maybe 5 ft. saw us, she embraced us like someone dear from our past, and Leah embodied the past like a fine rich full wine. So, today we had her over for a simple lunch, many spots of tea, homemade potato soup, beets, and banana pudding! Upon meeting Leah, you knew you wanted her vibrant spirit in your corner of life, like having a lucky ace up your sleeve. She shared her seasoned story, photos, and a smile that gave the sun a run for its' money! The afternoon escaped us, and before dusk, I walked Miss Leah out to her car, our hands entwined. As she shifts into the driver's seat of her car, she peeks from under her wool knitted hat and whispers,'' Keep care of that dear Tom of yours, and each Sunday while he and I sit together in prayer, I'll do the same...you know, I can do alot in one hour''. Don't doubt, I say!.

Smooth Transitions of Essex County has its' FIRST CLIENT!!!

This morning I woke to my phone ringing with text messages! ''Windsor Star, page 2, an article on you!!!Since then, it has generated more people asking to work FOR me than people needing my services! God knows I'm going to need them with the reaction to my new business! Thank you to Sharon Hill from the Windsor Star, for informing our seniors of all the services out there for them.
Catherine. Client #1. What a peach of a woman! After an afternoon spent with this graceful lady, we are now friends. The word client seems impersonal and inaccurate. My husband was worried about this.A business woman I'm not, a friend and confident, oh yes! Here's the conflict. I can't imagine charging Catherine for sharing an afternoon together when we both should have been discussing the task at hand! When we said our goodbyes, exchanged hugs,we promised to wear duct tape over our mouths so work might get accomplished! We are in trouble...

At day's end...my first client!!!!

What a great and exciting way to end a very long yet productive day!! A manager at a Windsor Retirement Facility ( taught her 23 years ago!) happened across my write-up in Windsor Business Magazine, connected with me  and provided Smooth Transitions Of Essex County it's first new client! God bless you Lisa!What an exhilirating feeling after all the hard legwork, to now have the business off the ground! There were so many wonderful gals I came across today who embraced this new journey of mine, and even promoted it while I was at the hospital today waiting on Tom's appointment. To the prettiest smiling face in the Endoscopy lab, dear Linda, for always sharing selfless acts of kindness at every turn, to whom I am most grateful.To my son Ben who was without words when realizing his mom was on Linkedin....shocked that I was ''linked in'' to anything, and rooting me on in my second career! Then there's Anne, a kind soft spoken lady who took time out of her busy schedule to meet with me and share the wisdom and insights she has collected while caring for seniors. There was an interview where the individual questioned the strategy I'd need to be successful in business, to which I replied, ''It's rather simple. There's no secret formula, no 100 page business plan, no intense research. This isn't a business, really, it's a vocation to which I will implement the same philosophy used in teaching for 30 years. Be it child or senior that stands beside me, I must remember, that someone out there thinks they are the cats meow and therefore worthy of the best I can offer.'' I'll learn how to write an invoice, but more importantly, I'll listen to the little voice within that has been a trustworthy beacon to me...all of my life.

Four 'Graceful Beautiful Beloved ' women

It has been weeks since the last entry as Christmas slowed down anything and everything that didn't pertain to the holiday! The last week has involved collecting contacts, connecting with newspaper and magazine publishers, met some mighty helpful folks and continued this relentless pursuit introducing Smooth Transition services. The reception has been quite positive, and now I await with the same excitement that engaged me while teaching. Retirement and I don't seem to get along, it mandates leisure and personal pursuits long awaited, but I'm finding my life journey must involve some sort of payback for all life's blessings! Three of my most treasured friendships are with women in their 80's,who seem to enjoy and love me as much as I them! My meme was a most beautiful spirit that adored this little redhead, freckled face, skinny bones of a child.She was the first endearing old soul that validated my worth, and loved spending time with her little granddaughter. Reflecting back over the years, I now realize why the need exists to live and work amongst the seniors of the community. Then,at the age of nine, my family moved from Elsmere St. to Reedmere in Riverside. Riding my bike through the new neighborhood, I stopped at the neighbour's house to introduce myself! Mrs. Nellie Wright, a white haired senior, sat on her porch knitting in her pretty dress and seemed happy to meet me...and I her. My meme no doubt set the two of us up from her seat in heaven, and started what was to become a friendship that lasted over Mrs. Wright's lifetime, and through my childhood, adolescence and into my 40's ,when her dear soul died at 100 yrs old! When Mr.Wright died, Nellie moved to Lethbridge Alberta to be with her niece and nephew, all the while writing back and forth throughout my life that kept me busy as a single mother to my beautiful son, Ben. I miss my grandmother and Mrs. Wright more than life itself, and fate has one more time provided a most precious old gal named Pat Davis to keep me company while in the absence of my late friends, and at a time in my life when her gift of friendship enlightens all that I have come to be as a 56 year old woman.We spend countless hours sharing our stories, heartbreaks and blessings. Pat lost a baby named Gerald who died at the age of 3 weeks, and her heartache remains vivid. Her sister was murdered at 33, a visceral pain that unleashes tears to this day. She has 6 grown children all the same age as my siblings, a marriage that continues over 60 years as my parents, and a lifetime of wisdom that she welcomes sharing with me. Then there is my greatest life blessing, my 82 year old mother Maxine, the first woman to hold me, wipe my tears, guide my journey through womanhood, love my son to death, and forever stands in the wings with a love and conviction for my life like no other. Is there no wonder why I would want to be with our community seniors? Blessings continue....