Funeral Services

Q: Most funeral homes appear to be about the same, so what’s the difference?

Kim Powers, Owner, Licensed Professional Counselor

A: Depression often subtly makes its way into one’s mental health, impacting relationships and behaviors. Others may express their concern for you. Interventions such as mental health therapy, medications, and implementing healthy coping skills may be necessary to improve your well-being. Make today the day to create positive change and reach out for help.

Heart Soul Mind Strength LLC

Faith. Acceptance. Empowerment. Purpose. Www.HeartSoulMindStrengthLLC.com

510-827-1305

Transitions

A. The key to achieving the best possible outcome for a person having a stroke is to know the signs and BE FAST. When someone with a stroke is brought to any one of Bronson’s hospitals in an ambulance, the stroke team is notified so they can be prepared for immediate intervention.

Monica Scarsella, Vascular Neurologist

• Balance. Vertigo or you’re feeling dizzy or falling to one side.

• Eyes. Loss of vision or blurred vision.

• Face. Facial drooping to one side.

• Arms. Weakness in the arms, leg or face.

• Speech is slurred or doesn’t make sense.

• Time is very important. Act quickly if you notice any of these symptoms and call 9-1-1 immediately. This is the fastest and safest way to get to the hospital.

Bronson Neuroscience Center

bronsonhealth.com/stroke

(269) 341-7500

Rob Baas Langeland

A: The BIG difference is also the most important one: our people –their attitude, spirit, and willingness to help a grieving family. Our staff is always prepared to go the extra mile for every family we care for. Do you feel like you’re with people who really want to take care of you? Or just process you? It should always be the former and Langelands has service like no other.

Langeland Family Funeral Homes

“Quiet dignity with compassion” has meant so much for many people... for many years.

4 locations to serve you 269-343-1508 • www.langelands.com

Diana Duncan Director of Sales and Marketing

Q: How much time should I allow for an appointment with a senior living community Sales Counselor?

A: Allowing up to 90 minutes for a personized appointment will give you a great start in understanding what options work best for your health age and finances as well as timing your move.

Friendship Village

“Where Connections Matter”

1400 North Drake, Kalamazoo 269-381-0560 www.friendshipvillagemi.com

Finding happiness every day

We often go to great lengths and expense to bring happiness into our lives, when in reality, it’s usually the small little, day-to-day pleasures that bring us the most joy. If we stop to “Smell the Roses,” as the saying goes, we may find that what we are searching for has been right in front of us all along. One of my guilty pleasures is riding slow meandering back roads on my bicycle. On many such rides, I cross paths with a a lady named Gail, who is out riding her bike looking for cans. She is in her 70’s and rides nearly year-round for exercise and tracks many miles per day.

A few months ago on such an encounter, she shared with me that she found a few golf balls at the edge of the road by a local golf course. She asked if I played golf. When I said, “yes,” she inquired what my favorite golf brand was. I replied, “Calloway.”

The other day when I ran into her on my ride, she mentioned that she found a few

Index May 2023

Calloway balls and would leave them for me in a bag by her mailbox.

When I stopped by on my way home, I was thrilled to find a bag full of 60+ Calloway golf balls waiting for me. This made my day!

From The Editor

This small act of kindness got me thinking about a book I read recently, titled: Things to Look Forward To, written by Sophie Blackall. In the book she explains that during a tough time in her life, she almost lost sight of beauty and wonder. Until one morning, while she was standing in a hot shower, she started thinking of the little things in life that make her happy.

She began by making a list and eventually published the book, which includes fifty little pleasures that we often take for granted, like the sun shining down upon us, hugging a friend, the smell of clean laundry and the joy of collecting pebbles and many more. Each short page is colorfully illustrated and brought a smile to my face.

The best way to find happiness is to look for it every day in everything you do.

Steve Ellis, SPARK Publisher steve@swmspark.com

ON THE COVER:

Editor and Publisher: Steve Ellis

Graphic & Page Development: CRE8 Design, Kalamazoo

Content/Photography: Lauren Ellis

Writers and Contributors Include: Area Agency on Aging, Steve Ellis, Lee Dean, Laura Kurella, Richard Martinovich Dave Person, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo Public Library, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Portage Public Library, Senior Services of Southwest Michigan, YMCA

SPARK accepts advertising to defray the cost of production and distribution, and appreciates the support of its advertisers. The publication does not specifically endorse advertisers or their products or services. Spark is a publication of Ellis Strategies, LLC. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission from the publisher.