Archive for October 2014

My first mammogram saved my life

My first mammogram saved my life
I’m 43. I was due to have my first mammogram three years ago, but I didn’t do it. I know I should have especially because my mom had a cancerous lump removed from her breast three years ago. I could tell you the litany of reasons why I avoided a mammogram, but those reasons don’t... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
October 31, 2014 at 5:57 pm • 

My favorite name is Sister

My favorite name is Sister
October 5th marked the 40th anniversary of when I gave up the name “Only Child” and took on “Sister.” As I recall it, it was a bright early October day when my brother Dave came into the world. Fall had hit and we were wearing socks with our sandals in Ft. Myers, Florida. It was... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
October 6, 2014 at 6:11 pm • 

10 signs I may have hit Middle Age

<b>#1 Bifocals.</b> Although my eyes are healthy, I need bifocals. BIFOCALS. And if I'm going to wear my contacts, I can only wear one so that I can see distance out of one eye and close-up out of the other. <i>Image courtesy of Ponsulak, FreeDigitalPhotos.net.</i>
This afternoon I had the opportunity to have my annual eye exam. My eyes are healthy and all is mostly fine. I was motivated to schedule the appointment because my arms were no longer long enough to allow me to see close-up when wearing my glasses or contacts and because the DMV told me a... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
October 2, 2014 at 1:33 pm • 
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Piano lessons: Although I quit them 32 years ago, I wish I still played

Piano lessons: Although I quit them 32 years ago, I wish I still played
When I was 5 or 6 years old, my parents made me take piano lessons. The key phrase there is “made me.” Music lessons were not optional in my house. Properly raised children played the piano. Period. My mom had grown up taking piano lessons from my step-grandfather’s first wife (before she passed away) and my... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
October 1, 2014 at 9:59 pm • 
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    Jessica Gardner

    A native of Chicago's Northwest Suburbs and resident of the North Shore, Little Merry Sunshine comes by her name honestly. The story goes that as a child, she was always so happy that she even slept with a smile on her face. Her mom nicknamed her Little Merry Sunshine. It stuck, along with her insatiable desire to focus on the good in the world and to leave it a little better than she found it. She does this by sharing her passions and dreams, what inspires her, and maybe you too, and furthering the discussion about how we can listen to our better angels. You can reach her at LittleMerrySunshineCN[at]WowWay[dot]com.

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