Chippewa Valley 5ive for Women The Chippewa Valley’s Premier Magazine for Women!
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May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with Joy that long endures
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours.
~Irish Blessing
Sitting down to write this month’s letter from the editor, fresh cup of coffee in hand, just as the writing juices began to flow I got a much-welcomed interruption. My beautiful daughter Grace phoned, talking a mile a minute, sharing every detail of her day. “Mom, I need a car. I love my new sorority sisters. Could you send my mittens? I adore the new family I am baby-sitting for.” As she shared her adventures, her infectious giggle wouldn’t allow me to do anything but smile. If you get a chance, please read her brave account in Ray’s of Grace in which she sheds light on her journey of well-being. I was so very proud of her when she told me, “If I could help even one person by sharing my story, it would be worth it.”
As most of you know, I have five beautiful children and they are the light of our life. I remember the pure joy I felt as each of them came into our world. Back then, my biggest worry was syncing up their naps, so I could get 30 minutes of peace. My, how times have changed! This parenting gig is not for the faint of heart. There are days I feel like I am walking around with my heart out of my body. Then, just when I think I have it all figured out, something requiring
all my reserves seems to happen.
The last few months I have devoted much time to reflection and prayer, which has led to some clarity. Even the best kids make mistakes; there is no such thing as perfect. Sometimes they will not be okay, and that’s okay. Sometimes, they need you even when they say they don’t. Boys do get scared and mama can’t fix a broken heart. Some days are just hard even when they’re doing the best they can. It is a lucky gift, getting to raise these children. The literal blood, sweat, and tears are worth every second when I see one of these fantastic people moving closer to the extraordinary person God created them to be. It is not without enormous doses of love, a little bit of luck, devotion to well-being, and a whole lot of prayer that we make it through this wild adventure called parenting.
This issue is devoted to love, luck, and the pursuit of well-being. Please take some time to soak up the beautiful articles we have put together for you. I am so excited to share this edition with our readers. Perhaps, you too, will see the love, luck, and well-being life has in store for you. The journey continues in faith, family, friends, fitness, and finance.
Jen Theisen
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
