Page 13 - Demo

Senior Times - May 2026 Page 13PROMOTING HEALTH INDEPENDENCE CHOICEFamily Enrichment CenterRegional Resource 3 TeamRobyn Watson, EDKinship Care ProgramEmail: rwatson@fecfamily.comPh: (269) 234- 5434www.Fecfamily.comKinship KornerKinship Care: Taking Care of YouAs kinship caregivers, grand parents often put the needs of their grand children first. But staying physically active is one of the best ways to ensure you%u2019re healthy and energized for the journey ahead. Regular movement can help boost your mood, strengthen muscles and bones, and lower the risk of chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease.You can start small with walking, which is a great way to get moving and enjoy the outdoors as a family activity. There are many free hiking trails throughout Calhoun County to learn about plants, bugs, and nature in general. If walking isn't always simple, there are plenty of other ways to stay active. Stretching exercises can improve flexibility and reduce the risk of injury. Chair yoga is a fantastic option that promotes relaxation and mental clarity without needing to stand. Taking care of yourself is not selfish %u2013 it%u2019s smart. The healthier and more active you are, the more you%u2019ll be able to enjoy and support the little ones who depend on you. Start small, stay consistent, and keep moving!FamilyEnrichmentCenterThe History of Mother%u2019s DayBy: Colleen Acker, Community Living Programs Manager, CareWell Services Southwestyet lovely white flower. On the first unofficial Mother%u2019s Day, Anna gave out the white carnations at church as a symbol of a mother%u2019s eternal love. In modern interpretation, a white carnation honors a deceased mother and the red honors a living mother.Many well-deserving mothers enjoy cards, gifts, and candy on their day of appreciation. However, gifts and materialism were far from what Jarvis had in mind. The newly minted holiday quickly became a means to make money. Appalled by the %u201ccharlatans and bandits%u201d that commercialized the holiday, Anna began seeking signatures to repeal Mother%u2019s Day. She copyrighted the saying %u201cSecond Sunday in May, Mother%u2019s Day%u201d to discourage the marketing of her prized legacy. To her dismay, some commercial enterprises moved the apostrophe on Mother%u2019s Day to get around the copyright infringement. Therefore, the tradition of showering mothers with store bought items on the second Sunday of May persisted. Anna Jarvis fought the rest of her life to abolish Mother%u2019s Day and generations of her family stopped celebrating it. While it is understandable why Jarvis%u2019 relatives would shun the commercial festivities, to many today it is a meaningful time set aside to visit or remember their mothers or other women that have been significant in their life... an aunt, grand mother, teacher, friend, and so many more.If you are looking for ways to celebrate your mom this Mother%u2019s Day, consider joining her at an exercise class, attending a Lunch and Learn, or visiting your local senior center. CareWell classes are free of charge and available at many locations. Celebrating being a mother, or perhaps just honoring a mother, is a steadfast tradition in May. A Virginia woman, Anna Jarvis, was inspired to create this personal holiday for women all over the United States, setting into motion a day of appreciation, flowers, and gifts. When Anna%u2019s mother prayed in Sunday School for a day to recognize the contributions of mothers, young Anna took those words to heart. After her mother%u2019s passing, Anna began petitioning for Mother%u2019s Day to be a recognized holiday on the second Sunday in May, which corresponded with the day of her mother%u2019s death. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared Mother%u2019s Day a national holiday. Jarvis chose white carnations as the symbol of Mother%u2019s Day as it was her mother%u2019s favorite flower. The Jarvis%u2019 garden was full of the simple, Join the Area Agencies on Aging Associationand your constituents as we work together toWednesday, May 13, 2026South Lawn | Front of Capitol BuildingCHAMPIONHealthy Aging!Or Join Us Via Live Stream!OLDERMICHIGANIANS DAYbit.ly/4s0ToBKProgram begins at 10 am. Lunch at 12:15 pm