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Agents For Life
HONORING A LIFE OF LOVE AND FAITH CELEBRATING 101 BEAUTIFUL YEARS
My beloved mom, a grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great- grandmother, went home to the Lord on May 17, 2025. She graced this world for 101 beautiful years and was always kind, always wise, and always giving. As I sat with her during her final weeks, she was mentally sharp up until her very last day. Lying in bed, she was frustrated and wanted to get up. She had more to do and more to help with, but her body was slowly giving out on her. My mom has always amazed and inspired me. She was a truly virtuous woman — strong in faith,
steady in love, and generous in heart. She raised eight children with grace and courage. She
nurtured 17 grandchildren, 28 great- grandchildren, and two great-great- grandbabies. My mom created not just a family, but a vast legacy of love. As I was growing up, I watched her hands work tirelessly — cooking, cleaning, holding us when we cried, guiding us, praying for us, and comforting us with grace. I remember how she sewed dresses for my sisters and me and always made sure they were ironed flawlessly. I saw her being
David Bennett (808) 392-7515 david@seniorhealth.pro
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Irma Bennett (808) 799-0399 irma@seniorhealth.pro
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July/August 2025
(808) 392-7515
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warm and friendly to our neighbors and helping others whenever she could. She showed the same kindness to strangers, always putting others’ needs before her own. When I was 17 and David showed up at my house to pick me up, the first thing she did was sit him down at the kitchen table and feed him. After a couple of months, David suggested that if we ever stopped dating, maybe we could just not tell my mom. He wanted to keep coming over for her homemade tortillas. My mom taught us what it meant to walk in faith, to give without expecting, and to serve others with dignity and a heart full of love. Day after day, I saw her do the very best she could with what she had. Her drive, determination, strength, and endurance inspired me. She encouraged me to study and learn, to pursue my interests, and to work hard and save. One of her lessons that I’ll never forget was if I want something, don’t ask for it — I had to earn it.
I mourn her passing, but more than that, I celebrate her impact, virtue, and legacy. I promise myself to live in a way that honors the woman she was as I do my best to become the woman she wanted me to be. My mom was love in action and faith in motion. Though she is no longer here physically, her presence lives in every act of kindness we do, every prayer we say, and every lesson she taught us. One of her sweetest habits was how she sent us on our way. Whenever anyone left her house, she would smile and say, “Hey, take care of yourself.” We always felt the love in those simple words.
We will miss her dearly, but we will never forget her.
–Irma Bennett
LESSONS FROM LIFE’S COMMON REGRETS MAKE TIME FOR WHAT MATTERS
Every now and then, it’s natural to pause and wonder how life will feel when we look back. What will we be glad we chose to do? What might we wish we had done differently? People working with those nearing the end of life hear these reflections all the time. Over the years, certain regrets show up again and again. They remind us to think about how we want to spend the time we have. Relationships come up often. Many wish they had stayed in touch with family and friends. They regret not saying what they truly felt. A simple phone call or visit can mean more than we think. If someone has been on your mind, this may be a good time to reach out. Many people also mention missed opportunities. They wish they had taken more chances or explored a dream. It is not too late to take the first step. Even a small action can open new possibilities.
regret working so much and say that what really matters is the time they spent with loved ones. If you are now retired, enjoy that freedom. If you are still working, look for small ways to give your time and attention to the people and activities you care about. Joy is another thing frequently reflected on. People regret letting worry or routine take over their lives. We can all choose to bring more happiness into each day. Sometimes that means sitting with a friend, taking a walk somewhere beautiful, or trying something that makes us laugh. There are many things in life that we can’t control, but we can take charge of our outlook. Choose to be happy and do those things that support your well-being. These reflections are a gift. They remind us to focus on what matters. A few small choices today can help us look back with fewer regrets tomorrow. And as you plan for the future, remember to enjoy life right now.
Work is another common theme. Toward the end of life, few people talk about promotions or paychecks. Many
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BEING THERE FOR SOMEONE WHO’S STRUGGLING Kindness That Lasts
We’ve all experienced bouts of bad mood or even occasional depression. While difficult to go through, it can be equally challenging to see someone we care about hurting and not know how to help. The main thing to remember is that providing support isn’t about fixing things; it’s about showing up in meaningful ways. Skip the pep talks and listen. For many of us, our initial instinct is to rush to lift our loved one’s spirits and help them break out of a bad mood. However, offering them space and a calm ear is often the best thing we can do. Friendly company can be comforting even if they’re not ready
to talk. Just be sure they don’t feel pressure to do or say anything. This might mean bingeing a favorite TV show together or just being with one another in the same room. Focus on small gestures. Along with providing company, you can support your loved one with simple gestures — a phone call, handwritten note, or warm meal. These acts remind them that someone cares and that they are not alone. Continuing to show up for your friend even after the rest of the world has moved on can have an even greater impact. There’s no specific script to follow, but small
efforts all add up and may matter more than you’ll ever know.
If you have a friend or family member going through a hard time, validating their experience and being present for them can be all they need. While they may not remember what you said, they won’t forget you showed up and stayed when they needed you most.
CHEESY TOMATO-BASIL STUFFED CHICKEN DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. Slice chicken down the middle horizontally (not cutting all the way through). 3. Spread pesto inside filleted chicken, then stuff with cheese and tomatoes before closing chicken, covering filling. 4. Place chicken in a large oven-safe skillet. Drizzle with reserved oil. 5. Set the skillet over medium heat; cook 5 minutes. 6. Add 1 1/2 cups tomatoes, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and season with chili flakes. Cook 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat. 7. Bake in oven for 7–10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tomatoes burst. 8. Toss remaining 1/2 cup tomatoes with basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. 9. Serve the chicken topped with fresh tomatoes. INGREDIENTS • 4–6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts • 1/2 cup basil pesto • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese • 1/3 cup oil-packed sun- dried tomatoes, drained, oil reserved • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, divided • 2 cloves garlic, smashed • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar • Chili flakes, to taste • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
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playful element to balance work. The idea is not to master it on day one. Simply standing and adjusting teaches your body to respond more quickly and confidently in daily life. There is no single formula for improving balance. The key is consistency. A few minutes of balance- focused activity, done regularly, can make a notable difference. You
might find yourself moving more freely and confidently before you know it.
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves • Salt and pepper, to taste Inspired by HalfBakedHarvest.com
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Inside This Issue 1 A Mother’s Legacy of Kindness 2 Learning to Live With Fewer Regrets 3 The Art of Quiet Kindness 3 Cheesy Tomato-Basil Stuffed Chicken 4 Small Steps for Better Balance
Simple Ways to Stay Steady BUILD BALANCE FOR DAILY LIFE
It’s easy to take balance for granted. We walk, turn, and reach without giving it much thought — until one day everything feels a little off. That is a normal part of aging, but it also makes fall prevention more important than ever. The good news is that we can always take steps to maintain and even improve our balance, no matter how old we are. And it doesn’t require an expensive program or complicated routine. Often, the simplest exercises turn out to be the most helpful.
on one foot for a few seconds while holding the back of a chair or kitchen counter. The first time might feel a little wobbly, but that’s okay. The small muscles in your ankles and legs are getting a workout, even if you do not feel it at first. Heel-to-toe walking is another helpful practice. Take slow, deliberate steps, placing one foot directly in front of the other. If you do this along a hallway or against a wall, you will have something to hold onto if needed. This type of movement helps sharpen coordination and gives your body better cues for maintaining stability.
You might not think of standing up from a chair as exercise, but it can be. Try sitting and rising without using your hands. This simple movement builds the leg and core strength that supports nearly every activity you do. For a different approach, many people turn to tai chi or yoga. These slow, mindful practices improve flexibility and body awareness, which in turn helps with balance. They also tend to be enjoyable, which makes it easier to stick with them. And if you like trying new things, a wobble board can add a
One of the easiest places to start is with a single-leg stand. Try standing
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