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Understanding Grief Through Music
“Grief is the price we pay for love.” —Queen Elizabeth II
Green Day’s “Wake Me Up When September Ends” is a moving exploration of loss, grief, and the passage of time. The band’s lead singer and songwriter, Billie Joe Armstrong, has been candid about its personal nature: It reflects on his father’s death in September 1982, when he was just 10. The song begins with the lines, “Summer has come and passed, the innocent can never last, wake me up when September ends.” These words immediately set a wistful tone, reminding us of the fleeting nature of happy moments and the inevitable changes that life brings. Summer brings warmth and joy. But here, summer has passed, symbolizing the end of a carefree period and the onset of something more somber. The chorus, “Wake me up when September ends,” echoes throughout the song; for Armstrong, this line is a 10-year-old child’s attempt to freeze time and shield himself from the harsh reality of loss. For the rest of us, it stirs memories of life’s moments when we wish to go to sleep and wake up when a heartache or obstacle has vanished. Where we bypass the pain and emerge on the other side of grief, healed and ready to face life again. But that’s not how life works. Instead, that loss, that grief, evolves. Armstrong sings, “Here comes the rain again, falling from the stars, drenched in my pain again, becoming who we are.” This stunning imagery of rain falling from the stars captures the feeling of overwhelming and almost spiritual sorrow. The pain is not just a temporary ache but something that shapes our identity. The song’s arrangement, starting with a gentle acoustic guitar and building to a powerful crescendo, perfectly mirrors the ebb and flow of enduring grief and the swift passage of time: “Seven years has gone so fast” reflects on how quickly that period passed and how the pain and memories of loss persisted; “Twenty years has gone so fast” underscoring how the feelings of loss have remained with him over the decades.
Our grief and losses may bring sorrow and pain — and time does not heal all wounds — but, as the song suggests, time allows a period of rest, maybe even peace, and eventual acceptance. The struggle of trying to find peace while dealing with grief and holding onto memories is universal but personal, and that’s why this song resonates with all ages and audiences. This song is more than just music; it’s a companion on the journey through stormy and unsettled times, whatever they may be. The takeaway is that our losses and hardships help shape who we are, and while painful, they also bring growth and a deeper understanding of our own inner strength, durability, and resilience. I’ll leave you with a quote by the brilliant composer Irving Berlin. It’s about music. And, I think, grief: “The song is ended, but the melody lingers on.”
But there’s always a silver lining, right? One of the most striking lines in the song is, “As my memory rests, but never forgets what I lost.”
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Our diets can affect our mood and health, but no one food or drink provides instant, long-lasting relief for anxiety symptoms. As awesome as it would be to say, “I think I’m feeling anxious. Pass me that popcorn chicken, stat,” the truth is that removing certain foods and drinks from your diet can help calm your anxiety. So, if you’re after a more peaceful mood, here are some ingredients to avoid and include to achieve the best result! Avoid Alcohol We’ve all heard it, but alcohol is not the solution to your problems. Although ingesting alcoholic beverages can result in short-term relief, the long-term effects are anything but helpful. Alcohol can make getting to sleep more difficult and lead to an overall worsened mood as it leaves your system. In fact, alcohol is a depressant and can make your anxiety much worse. Cut Back on Caffeine Millions of people rely on coffee to start their day. However, caffeine — a core component of coffee — can make you feel nervous and fidgety if ingested in large quantities. If you suffer from jitters in the morning, it might be time to taper your caffeine intake. More of These, Please Enough about things to cut out of your diet; how about things we can eat to make ourselves feel better? Berries contain antioxidants, which can aid in combating stress and depression. Complex carbohydrates in oatmeal, breads, and quinoa can help increase the serotonin in your brain, resulting in a calming effect over time. If you like fish, try out salmon. It contains vitamin D, which helps produce dopamine and serotonin, easing anxiety symptoms. Now you have the right ingredients for a successful, calming diet! DIETARY TIPS TO COMBAT ANXIETY
Nourishment for the Mind
A GUIDE TO EXCEPTIONAL SENIOR ACTIVITIES
Your golden years are a time to prioritize activities that keep us physically and mentally engaged while bringing a renewed sense of purpose. Fortunately, many enriching activities can do just that. Here are four popular and rewarding options for seniors to consider. Embracing the Great Outdoors For many seniors, spending time in nature can be a rejuvenating experience. Activities like gardening, birdwatching, and hiking allow everyone to connect with the natural world while providing gentle physical exercise and a chance to socialize with like- minded individuals. Whether it’s tending to a thriving vegetable patch or embarking on a scenic trail, outdoor pursuits can add wonder and tranquility to your daily life. Lifelong Learning The pursuit of knowledge is a passion that should span a lifetime. Many seniors
thoroughly enjoy continuing education classes, lectures, or self-directed learning. From exploring new languages and cultures to keeping up with the latest scientific discoveries, these intellectual endeavors keep the mind sharp even as time passes. Community colleges, senior centers, and online platforms offer many learning opportunities for older adults. Creative Expression Senior activities involving creative expression can be incredibly fulfilling for those with an artistic inclination. Whether it’s painting, writing, or joining a local theater group, these creative outlets allow individuals to tap into their innate talents and passions. Artistic activities provide a creative outlet and foster a shared and beautiful community. Staying Physically Active Physical fitness is crucial for overall health and well-being, especially as we age. Senior-
friendly activities like low-impact exercise classes, dance lessons, and water aerobics can help improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and flexibility. These activities benefit the body and provide opportunities for social interaction and mental stimulation. As we embark on the golden years of our lives, it is important to embrace the wealth of enriching activities available to seniors. By engaging in these pursuits, you can cultivate a sense of joy, fulfillment, and continued growth, ensuring that your later years are truly the best years.
MichiganEstatePlans.com • 888.487.6150
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Sudoku
As we age, it’s normal to occasionally forget where we left our keys or struggle to recall a familiar name. While some memory lapses are a natural part of aging, there are steps we can take to keep our minds sharper for longer. These are four research-backed tips to give your memory a much-needed boost. Stay Physically Active Exercise is good for your body and essential for brain health. Regular physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to support cognitive function. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, like brisk walking, most days of the week. Get Plenty of Sleep Adequate, high-quality sleep is crucial for memory consolidation. During sleep, our brains process and store the information accumulated throughout the day. Strive for 7–9 hours of sleep per night, and establish a consistent sleep schedule to support optimal brain function. Eat a Brain-Boosting Diet The foods we consume have a direct impact on our cognitive abilities. A diet rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and essential nutrients — such as berries, leafy greens, fatty fish, and whole grains — can help protect the brain from age-related decline. Limit processed foods, sugar, and saturated fats, which can contribute to inflammation and memory problems. Stay Socially Connected Strong social ties aren’t just emotionally fulfilling but also crucial for brain health. Regular social activities, whether it’s volunteering, joining a club, or simply catching up with friends, can stimulate the mind and reduce the risk of memory loss. Make an effort to stay connected with your community. By incorporating these simple strategies into your daily life, you can take proactive steps to preserve your memory and mental sharpness well into your golden years. Your brain will thank you for the investment. Boost Your Brain Power 4 SIMPLE TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY
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Helpful Resources • Is your estate plan up to date? Ask us about our FREE Estate Planning Checkup. Call our office or email Julie@mtolaw.com. • Don’t miss Glenn on “Senior Law Radio,” WHMI FM 93.5 every Sunday at 8 a.m. You can also listen live (or to previous shows) on WHMI.com. • Questions about your money? Do you need help with your financial goals, investment management, or retirement planning? Glenn has partnered with his personal financial advisor, Brad Jerome, to bring expert financial services to our clients. Brad meets with you right in our office — no cost, no obligation, and no pressure — just an opportunity to discuss your goals with a top-notch financial advisor to see where your path might lead. You can reach Brad directly at 517.301.3070. • Let us be your trusted advisor for all your legal matters. We’ve grown with the referrals we receive from our clients. We want to return the favor by helping you find a great attorney outside of estate planning, elder law, and probate. Our clients often call us in need of an attorney who focuses on personal injury, auto accidents, elder and nursing home abuse, workers’ compensation, Social Security disability, and many other areas. To get the best results, you need an experienced attorney to help. If you want a referral, call our office or email Julie@mtolaw.com. We are glad to help!
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MichiganEstatePlans.com • 888.487.6150 915 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 6 Howell, Michigan 48843
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What’s Inside? 1 2 When September Ends…
Foods to Embrace and Avoid to Calm Your Anxiety Discover Timeless Captivating Pastimes Simple Habits to Improve Memory Helpful Resources
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Pow! The Lost Legend of Rice Krispies’ Space Age Mascot
THE RICE KRISPIES’ SPACE-AGE SIDEKICK
Quick question! How many elves are on a Rice Krispies box? Most of us know that it’s three, with their clever names based on the sounds puffed rice cereal makes in milk — Snap! Crackle! Pop! But did you know that in the early 1950s, Kellogg’s briefly had an out-of-this-world fourth friend appear in two commercials? His name was Pow, a spaceman character designed to represent “the power of whole grain rice,” from which marketers derived his moniker. Zipping around on flying saucers with the original elves, he wore a helmet and put “power into every lightweight spoonful of Kellogg’s Rice Krispies!” The themed campaign, with replica patches from every manned mission to space up through Apollo 10 as box prizes, aimed to capitalize on the time’s pop culture, which was heavily influenced by the beginning of the space race. According to Smithsonian Magazine, while Pow might have been a flash-in-the- pan character designed to last about as long as the public’s interest in the space race, his three onomatopoetic counterparts hold the title of being the “first and longest-running cartoon mascots to represent a Kellogg’s product.” Having inspired dozens of beloved characters since — from Tony the Tiger to Buzz the Honey Bee and beyond — Snap, Crackle, and Pop are about as classic a team as cereal and milk, with Pow a worthy honorable mention.
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