President's Post Vicky Garrison

Greetings to all members and volunteers! As I sit down to write this message, my thoughts are rambling and reaching for focus. Many of you know I said goodbye to my mother last month after she fought a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

Like I held my father’s hand five years ago, I held her hand as she transitioned to heaven. Mine is not the only loss experienced recently. Other board members, including our Vice-President and Secretary, faced the same loss and grief in their families. Recently our chapter lost a beloved founding father and friend, Tom Fjerstad, who many of you know so well from PN Magazine. And many chapter members face losses every day. Grief and sadness can quickly become allconsuming, wrapping us up in fear and despair if we allow it to.

My recent reflection and loss remind me of a saying I once heard. “Live each day as if it were your last; love each day as if you will live forever.” I’ve always felt that advice, light as it may be, offers such profound insights and wisdom about living our daily life. How differently would I live today if it were my last? I certainly would not waste time feeling such emotions as worry, sadness, fear, or despair. If today were my last day, I’d make it my mission to make as many smiles as possible for others, to tell those in my life how much I love them, to sing, dance, and be happy. And what about the second part of the quote? If I would live on this earth forever, how would I choose to live? It doesn’t take a lot of thought to realize my answers would be the same. Such light simple advice but so life-changing!

Short or long lives, youthful or aged, sailing through good times or facing struggles, finding the good and positive is always the right action. So in closing, I want to convey the following message. If you have joy, keep feeling it and share it. If you don’t feel joy, keep seeking it. Satisfaction and contentment take practice like everything else, but our human spirits possess the ability - yours for the shaping. Wrapping this into my role as President of MNPVA, I encourage all of you to take advantage of the many chapter opportunities to add enrichment to your lives. We’re just a phone call away if you have a particular interest or special need, are looking for a connection, or would simply like to talk. We're always here to help!

Like a child, be happy for no reason!