What’s New At

Wendi Greer, LMSW: Supportive psychotherapy practice that is focused on enhancing mindfulness, self-compassion, and authenticity in your way of living. 375 N. McClellan Ave., Ste. C, Marquette, (906) 226-1454. Steward & Sheridan PLC Attorneys at Law: Attorneys James Steward and Angela Hentkowski of Steward & Sheridan, both Certified Elder Law Attorneys, obtained a major victory from the Michigan Supreme Court that can significantly help one spouse obtain nursing home Medicaid coverage. 205 South Main St., Ishpeming, (906) 485-6311, (906) 485-6315 Fax. Joy Center: “Out Loud” now on Zoom! Thursday, Mar. 17, April 21 & May 19 - plus more creative opportunities! Check our Facebook page for more info. 1492 Southwood Dr., Ishpeming, helenhaskell@yahoo.com. Iron Bay Restaurant & Drinkery: We’re embracing the new year & the cold weather. Come try one of our new baked goods, mock tails, or hot-tails. 105 E. Washington St., Marquette, (906) 273-0990. Lakeshore Depot: Renovations are currently underway to provide new equipment and improve store layout, while adding seating, espresso, and tea drinks, and increasing our prepared food offerings. 560 Fern Place, Marquette, www.lakeshoredepot.com, 906 273-2121. UPWard Ortho is an airway-focused orthodontic practice in Houghton, MI that specializes in treatment options that address the root cause of teeth & jaw problems to help Kids, Teens, and Adults feel their best with healthy smiles. 903 Razorback Dr., #10, Houghton, upwardortho.com, (906) 483-0200. Brownstone Inn: Fresh, generous, scratch-made comfort-style food: Steak, Burgers, BBQ, Pork Chops, Beef Tips, Meat Loaf, Lasagnas, Curries… Always adding to our good wines and local beers. See what we’re cooking up next. E 4635 M-28 W., Au Train, (906) 892-8332, www.brownstoneup.com. Keweenaw Acupuncture: Now offering new and returning patient packages! $100 off 5 session packages; $200 off 10 session packages. Offer expires 03/31/22. Use within 1 year. Call (906) 231-3109. 1101 N. Elevation St., Ste. 3, Hancock, www. keweenawacu.com. Zero Degrees: Along with its 42 local artist members, the award-winning, Zero Degrees Gallery hosts a new Guest Artist from the community every month. Open Tues. – Sun. 525 N. Third St.. Marquette; (906) 228-3058, www.zerodegreesgallery.org, Zerodegreesgallery @gmail.com. Blackbird Boutique: New clothing arrivals from Effie’s Heart, Driftwood, Sacred Threads, Mata Traders, and so many more brands. Unique jewelry, original artwork, personal and home accessories. 110 N. 3rd St., Marquette, (906) 250-1253, www.BlackBirdMQT.com. Seiche Stone Company: New to Third St is Marquette’s first and only stone shop featuring crystals, stones, jewelry, books, gifts and more. Stop in and see all that Seiche Stone Co. has to offer. 505 N. Third St., Marquette, (906) 273-0483. The Gathered Earth: At The Gathered Earth Gift Shop we focus on products made by women-owned, US, local, fair-trade or give back companies. When buying a gift from us, more than one person benefits. 131 W. Washington St., (906) 273-1617. HOTplate Pottery & Clayworks: Now offering subscription boxes for at-home creating in four different topics. Includes “self care” box you can keep all for yourself. Both studios now at Masonic Center, 130 W Washington St, Marquette. (906) 228-9577, hotplatepottery.com. Empowering Lightworks: FLOURISH Your Spirit’s Calling Masterclass LIVE online Sun., 3/13/22, plus free bimonthy online discussion group. 1:1 remote and in-person session package options also available. Visit www.EmpoweringLightworks.com for more details.

for Living a Healthier, Happier Life!

Health & Happiness U.P. Magazine, Spring 2022 9

understanding. The classic example of AMBIGUOUS GRIEF during COVID is not being able to physically attend the funeral of a loved one because of restrictions related to the pandemic. But it can also be related to all the other lost opportunities that mark certain rites of passage: not being able to attend a marriage, or baptism or bar mitzvah, or graduation because of travel or gathering restrictions. That AMBIGUOUS GRIEF can also take the form of an overriding/undefinable loss that defies our ability to put into words: the overarching cloud of loss that is felt throughout our society: reserved children wearing masks at bus stops to muted social gatherings. In non-COVID situations, AMBIGUOUS GRIEF can be seen in grieving someone who has Alzheimer’s who is no longer the person you’ve known throughout your life, or grieving one of your children who has become the victim of drug abuse. AMBIGUOUS GRIEF: grieving a loss for which there can be no closure or understanding, sometimes an overriding/undefinable loss. COVID has brought to the forefront many forms of grieving, and these various forms of grieving might be with us for a long time, even long after the time in which we can get the physical effects of this pandemic under control. As individuals and as a society, our goals in these trying times must be to learn how to be survivors rather than victims during all of that loss. The first step in that process has to be in identifying and naming our various forms of grief and loss. Once we identify and name those losses (as I have outlined above), we need to seek appropriate assistance in finding some healing. That healing can begin by simply openly sharing with others our grief. Healing can come through grief literature, healing can come through individual therapists and grief groups. We identify and name the losses. We then share the losses, and healing has begun. Douglas Smith teaches a Grief Support Services certificate program through Northern Michigan University’s Department of Continuing Studies. He is the author of Caregiving: Hospice-Proven Techniques for Healing Body and Soul as well as seven other books on counseling the dying and the grieving. Health Span (cont. from p. 7)

Another important factor to consider is brain aging. Brain aging can be traumatic not just for the individual but also his/her family and loved ones. Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia have become the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Dr. Lewis Lipsitz of Harvard Medical School claims reducing cardiovascular risk factors through mental and physical exercises is key to reduce or slow brain aging. Use it or lose it. Oftentimes as we grow older, we tend to slow down, but all the latest studies show this is the time to increase your activities in those ways that work for you. The priority has now become, as Dr. Sinclair puts it, “keeping people younger for longer as opposed to keeping people older for longer.” Most people don’t want to live longer if they can’t do much of anything. If our quality of life is good and we can live longer too, that’s icing on the cake. So get active if you aren’t already. And a good place to start is your local Senior Center. Kevin McGrath can be found step touching on the grape vine of life.