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
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Mary · 
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Tags: aging parents, family, friends · Posted in: Life Lessons
Women to Watch
I’m poised for good news, I’m visualizing myself with an x-ray that shows good healing and my surgeon Dr. Kempcke telling me I can move to partial weight bearing – YES! Hold that thought for me as I wait for good news this week.
Speaking of good news I received very exciting news from my dear friend Sherry DeRosa, [...]
March 1, 2010
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Tags: friends, personal growth, Women · 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
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Tags: air travel, family, friends, gratitude, safety, senior travel · Posted in: Life Lessons
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
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Tags: celebration, family, friends, gratitude · Posted in: Life Lessons
Shamanic Healing Ceremony
Last Friday I drove to Wisconsin to spend time with my mentor and friend Lee, a Shamana. I was taking time for both personal healing and to continue to learn the way of the Shaman. Lee’s home is a beautiful sanctuary on a hill reminiscent of a retreat setting, the living room wall is all glass looking out over the hill at [...]
July 21, 2009
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Tags: ceremony, community, Drumming, energy healing, friends, gratitude, holistic healing, Intention, journey, Prayer Arrow, shaman, shamanic · Posted in: Healing
Choices
Mom – An Independent Woman
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
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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
Finding Your Healing Space
Healing Pup
I’ve been reading and working on “This Thing Called Grief – New Understandings of Loss” by Thomas M. Ellis, the book and the center he directs in St. Paul was recommended by my friend Leslye. As I let go of the daily work I was doing to close out my sister’s affairs I begin to [...]
June 18, 2009
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Tags: complimentary therapies, dogs, energy healing, family, friends, grief, holistic healing, loss, poodles · Posted in: Healing
The Healing Path
One of the kindest things about losing a loved one is that we tend to remember only the most wonderful stories about that person, all else is unimportant and forgotten. As I think of my sister Susie and look at her pictures and memorabilia surrounding me I remember all the most funny and delightful experiences we shared as sisters. I’m glad May is [...]
June 15, 2009
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Tags: family, friends, gratitude, grief, holistic healing, hope, journey, loss · Posted in: Healing, Uncategorized
Embracing a Joyous Life
I wrote a small item awhile ago on my friend Sherry a Breast Cancer Survivor; although new at the business of “thriving” she is running joyously toward her new beginnings. I received her email blast last evening where she routed her wedding pictures to those of us who are fortunate to be in her circle [...]
May 5, 2009
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Tags: breast cancer, energy healing, family, friends, gratitude, grief, healthcare, holistic healing, hope, journey, loss, survivor · Posted in: Healing
Women and Heart Dis-ease
My sister Faye’s funeral is over and as we’re picking up the pieces of our lives it almost feels like we’re sleep walking, hoping to wake up and know that this was all a dream and Susie is home from her vacation in Cancun. In the mist of our sorrow my sisters and I talk [...]
April 25, 2009
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Tags: cardiovascular, family, friends, gratitude, healthcare, heart attack, heart disease, holistic healing, holistic nursing, Nurse, Women, women and heart, womens health · Posted in: Life Lessons
Mary Chapa, RN is a multi-talented woman with a background in nursing leadership, quality management and business development in both health care and private industry. Mary is also a writer and passionate holistic health practitioner living in Minnesota.