"Mary Cards"

While I was growing up, if there was a birthday, graduation, wedding, or any occasion to be acknowledged and for which Hallmark® made a card, my Mom was writing in one to send to someone. Every card and letter reflected the warmth and genuine concern she had for family, friends and people she'd met along the way.

When my Mom wasn't cooking, cleaning, doing laundry or sewing, she was writing cards and letters to people. She always seemed to be writing something to someone.

She was the same way when we went to church. She'd invariably know and say "Hi" to several people on the way in or way out. Always happy to see and talk at length with each of them as if they were close friends.

What I discovered and have come to admire is my mom's dedication to inspiring people. To let them know that she was thinking about them. Rooting for them. Hoping they were doing well in school, healing from some illness, or just writing to say "Hi!" and that she was wondering how they were doing.

As an example of her dedication, my Mom got the address of the daughter of one of my older sister's neighbors. Just to be clear, this is a neighbor of my sister who lives in a different state from my parents. The neighbor's daughter was away at college at the time and my mother got her address and wrote her a note. I don't know what it said but I'm pretty sure it was her attempt to cheer on the college student. Or maybe just say "Hi!" and that she was thinking of her and probably praying for her.

I hope that I can find ways to inspire people as she did. It is for that reason that I have started this website.

P. Walker, Geneva, IL.

"Spiritual Mechanic"

My wife and I had the good fortune of meeting Andrea early into 2017. We had signed us up for an exercise class and Andrea was running it. Basically, we were paying her to do things to us to make us healthy, stronger and achy. Andrea's very good at picking just the right exercises to achive those goals. So much so that we're still attending her classes! And we're much healthier for it. Though we still get achy. Andrea would want me to tell you that.

Shortly after beginning Andrea's classes, we discovered that she was an author and had one book in the works for publication and another, her memoir, also in the queue. I remember thinking she's way too young to have written a memoir! I couldn't have been more wrong.

Andrea's journey is guided by her faith in God and the strong bonds of a family most resiliant. Her memoir, "Tatsimou, Hold On" is a story well worth reading. You get drawn in almost immediately and cannot help but ride along emotionaly till the very end. From, there, check out her other books which will help you move forward in your own faith. Her words, informed by life experience, are sure to inspire.

As I write this, Andrea has three books published, one coming out very soon and more on the way. She is dedicated to helping others through her exercise classes, her teaching in the classroom and sharing her life journey and faith in her books. It is for those reasons that I call her a Spiritual Mechanic.

You can check out her books on the BOOKS page.

P. Walker, Geneva, IL.