By now, if you have followed NWWCA and read my monthly Musings, you probably have a pretty good sense of what I find important. I am all about connection, meaning, depth, engagement, community, etc. I just looked over this year’s Musings and they are all of a piece which, of course, makes me glad for the consistency.

Last month was about where and how we might choose to live as we age. Our feature essay was an honest reflection by Leah Vetter, who had moved to Ida Culver House Broadview in September 2021.

Leah died last week, after thriving for over 25 years with a cancer that was allegedly going to end her life when it was first diagnosed. As in many things, Leah prevailed. Leah was a vital, accomplished, strong woman whose presence was always a delight and whose enthusiasm for life experiences was deep and unending, right up to the end.

In honor of Leah, I have written the May Learning from Each Other essay. It is inspired by the last conversation I had with Leah and her daughter. I hope it was helpful to her as she transitioned to whatever might be next!

Continuing the theme of what might be next, we are pleased to share the new handbook about housing options for people who are aging. Recently completed by Wider Horizons Village, it is a welcome aid to understanding the many housing choices facing us as we age. Congratulations to the team that created it.

And I hope you’ll check out my Tip of the Month. It was fun to riff on the ‘buttons’ in our lives!

May in the Puget Sound region qualifies as among the most beautiful months anywhere. Even with increased pollen and dripping skies, seeing the flowering trees and array of blooming bulbs reminds us that beauty can be healing.

Wishing you a spring of healing and growth.
Rebecca