By Monica Proctor Wilson
Dear MS,
I began gardening five years ago, growing vegetables and fruits. Gardening is harder than I expected, but there is something about it that reminds me of who I am and how I got here. My roots formed long before you (MS), entered my life.
Continue readingBy Dr. Eva Jackson
Each October, my family gathers to honor the traditions that connect our past, present, and future. Relatives travel from near and far to share stories, learn about those who came before us, create new memories, and help younger generations understand the history that shaped them. More than a reunion, this gathering is a celebration of heritage, belonging, and the bonds that hold us together.
By Stacie Prada
To quote the band Talking Heads from the song Once in a Lifetime, “How did I get here?”
And why does it matter?
For my ancestors who died before I was born, I contributed absolutely nothing to what they did or who they were. I try not to take any unearned pride in their efforts. I have no idea if we would have even liked each other.
Still, I marvel at the many hardships they endured that brought my family to the United States and led me to be here.
Continue readingBy Dan and Jennifer Digmann
When we hear the word “roots,” we tend to gravitate toward where we came from. We think about our parents and grandparents, our hometowns, traditions, and family stories.
But maybe our roots are more than these.
Continue readingIn today’s fast-paced world, where many people are caught up in the demands of modern life, it can be easy to lose touch with one’s heritage. It is important to honor the traditions of those who came before you and appreciate the diversity of those around you.
Continue readingIt is important to invest in relationships and build connections that go beyond surface-level interactions. Meaningful, stable, and long-lasting friendships can withstand the test of time and provide invaluable support during life’s biggest challenges.
Continue readingBy Dr. Eva Jackson
Every MS diagnosis begins with a different story. For me, the diagnosis brought an unexpected sense of relief. After seven long years of searching for answers, I finally had a name for what was going on with my body. But that relief came with weight. The journey to diagnosis can be lonely, costly, exhausting, and filled with questions about the future. In the beginning, learning that you have an incurable disease affecting your nervous system can feel as if the world around you are still moving while your own world has come to an abrupt stop.
Continue readingBy Dan and Jennifer Digmann
To us, community is more than a group of people who happen to live in the same town, attend the same church, share an interest, or know our story.
Community is the people who show up.
They celebrate with us when life is good, stand beside us when life is difficult, and remind us that we never have to navigate life completely alone.
Continue readingBy Stacie Prada
When I think of my community, I first think of where I live, my friends and neighbors who will show up for me, and those I’m compelled to show up for. In times of crisis, a surge of community help is noticeable. A call to action is made, and people rise to the occasion.
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Sometimes the smallest gestures are the ones that leave the biggest impressions. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we can miss simple opportunities to connect with the people around us. Small acts of kindness remind us that we are cared for, valued, and supported. They also create a ripple effect, inspiring us and others to extend kindness in return.
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