In Honor of Veterans
Dad WWII POW
It’s Memorial Day week end and I stopped by the florist yesterday to order a small wreath to place on my father’s grave at Fort Snelling Cemetery. Memorial Day is a special day of remembrance for our veterans and my Dad always made sure we understood the contributions of those who served because [...]
May 29, 2010
· 
Mary · 
No Comments
Tags: family, Memorial Day, POW, WWII Pacific · Posted in: Life Lessons
Nobody Cooks Anymore
I was driving by some restaurants when I heard my father’s voice, “Nobody Cooks Anymore,” that was one of his favorite sayings when we would go to a restaurant for a meal and a visit. For the last few years of his life our routine was to take Dad out for Sunday breakfast, we’d talk [...]
May 26, 2010
· Mary · No Comments
Tags: aging parents, family, friends · Posted in: Life Lessons
I Remember Susie
I’ve been re-reading the book by Thomas Ellis on This Thing Called Grief. I want to be prepared for the Anniversary of my sister Susie’s death, she died unexpectedly last April. During the past few weeks I’ve been thinking of my sister as I go about my daily routine, pictures and memories just seem to pop into my [...]
March 30, 2010
· Mary · No Comments
Tags: family, grief, loss · Posted in: Life Lessons, Uncategorized
Caregiving in the U.S. 2009
Caregiving is still mostly a woman’s job and many women are putting their career and financial futures on hold as they juggle part-time caregiving and full-time job requirements. This is the reality reported in Caregiving in the U.S. 2009, the most comprehensive examination to date of caregiving in America. The first national profile of caregivers, [...]
January 17, 2010
· Mary · No Comments
Tags: aging parents, family, Senior Caregiving · Posted in: Senior Caregiving
Medication Refills and Senior Challenges
Whenever I visit with my senior friend I learn something new.  Recently we were discussing getting refills on medications and as we were talking I realized how something so simple becomes so challenging for seniors.  Does your pharmacy use automated voice prompts? Is your family member hard of hearing, do they use a hearing aid? These [...]
October 20, 2009
· Mary · No Comments
Tags: aging parents, family, pharmacy, Safe medications, Senior Caregiving · Posted in: Senior Caregiving
A Change of Season
I love the change of seasons in Minnesota and fall is a favorite time of year; this week I have my annual Fall Women’s Retreat with my best friends. As the saying goes we’ve laughed a lot, cried a little and shared our love of books and learning. This long week end is an opportunity to “reconnect, refine [...]
September 29, 2009
· Mary · No Comments
Tags: air travel, family, friends, gratitude, safety, senior travel · Posted in: Life Lessons
Caring for our Aging Parents
As I read the email from my dear friend in Canada I wish I was there in person to support her as I tell her we’ve all had experience with helping our parents through illness, transition and even endings.  I tell her it doesn’t matter that we are nurses or that we have experience in [...]
August 24, 2009
· Mary · No Comments
Tags: aging parents, eldercare, family, healthcare, loss, transition · Posted in: Healing
Happy Birthday Rae – 99 Years Young!
Rae Celebrating Life
My friend Nancy sent me a photo and letter from her mother Rae who will be celebrating a birthday on Friday, August 14th; she will be 99 years young. Rae wrote a letter to friends and family in July and I’m including her thoughts on life and turning 99 years old. “If you’d [...]
August 10, 2009
· Mary · 4 Comments
Tags: celebration, family, friends, gratitude · Posted in: Life Lessons
David’s Daughter
Working in health care gave me a slight advantage when coordinating my Dad’s medical care last summer and as I roll out my first newsletter I’m focused on the main question, do you need occasional support with an aging parent or family member? Eliza One will provide occasional or routine support for you while you balance a busy schedule, Eliza [...]
July 27, 2009
· Mary · No Comments
Tags: aging parents, care coordination, complimentary therapies, family, healthcare, holistic nursing · Posted in: Healing
Choices
Mom – An Independent Woman
Â
One of my mother’s key values was the importance of “Choice,” her underlying principal was for women to be independent, strong and employed. “It’s important to work hard and get an education” she said, typical values growing up in Minnesota during the 1950’s and 60’s. I lived my life believing this [...]
June 30, 2009
· Mary · 2 Comments
Tags: alternative therapy, business development, complimentary therapies, energy healing, executive, family, friends, healthcare, holistic healing, independent women, integrative medicine, job loss, journey, Women · Posted in: Healing, Life Lessons
Mary Chapa is a multi-talented woman with a background in nursing management, sales and marketing in both healthcare and private industry. Mary is also a writer, storyteller and holistic health practitioner living in Minnesota.