NIAGARA, Wis. — There is no question that we are living through a unique period of our national history. And, depending on how you voted in the most recent election, you may be using a different adjective to describe this time. But today’s column is not about politics, but rather how each of us manages to navigate periods of uncertainty in our lives. How is it that some of us will crumple when things get difficult while others will find their way through to a brighter tomorrow? The answer is resilience, or adaptability. How does one acquire this ability? Today, let’s explore this topic with the hope of finding the answer to that question.

Some of us have been fortunate to have had role models in our lives who, through their actions, modeled a way of dealing with life’s unexpected twists and turns. For me, it was my mother. She was stubborn in a good way; it was a trait modeled for her by her own parents, who were hardworking German farmers. My mother married my father when she was 24 years old after he graduated from college with a degree in teaching. She had a “Hope Chest” full of lovely dinnerware, sterling silver, and dreams of the family and lifestyle she would have as the wife of a teacher. Five years later, at the age of 29, she found herself a widow with four young children; I was 4, my brother was 3, and the twins had just turned a year old. What was she to do now? And how would she tell her very young children what had happened?

She took it a step at a time. I still remember how she told my brother and I that we would never be without our dad. Whenever we found ourselves missing him, we should just look up in the sky and find the brightest star, for that would be him looking down on us and keeping us safe. I marvel to this day how she thought of that as a way to assure her young children that we need not worry. We moved back to her hometown of Ripon and lived for a few months on the farm with our grandparents. She eventually found a house to rent in town, and she found a part-time secretarial job. When that job proved insufficient to support us, she found her job at Ripon College that would provide all four of us with a college education and the potential for a bright future.

Our lives were certainly not easy, but she found ways to inject fun into them. We all learned the importance of doing well in school, working hard, saving our money and watching out for each other. We fought like cats and dogs among ourselves, but never stood still for anyone else picking on one of us. I remember how she used to drive all the back country roads to Pickett, singing old jukebox tunes on the way, all the while swerving from one side of the road to the other as we slid from side to side in the backseat squealing with laughter. We would stop at the Co-Op for ice cream cones — four scoops for a dime — and play eye spy on the way home, being the first to see Wayside School or the “bald spot” in a farmer’s cornfield. One day at a time we all found our way through to become the adults we eventually became. My mom died at the age of 92, her life a legacy of resiliency for all of us.

Another set of wise words came from my husband’s grandmother. Virginia “Huss” DeBruin who immigrated to this country with her family from Luxembourg at the age of 14 during World War I. She eventually married Frank DeBruin, a stubborn but lovable Dutchman. Together they had four children and built a dairy business in Menasha. He ran the business and she kept the books. When they sold the business, they built a new house just down the road from where their dairy had been. That dairy property would eventually be sold to their oldest daughter and her husband and would become my husband’s childhood home.

Grandma DeBruin, as we called her, had a lively personality. She talked a mile a minute and had a laugh that filled the room. Her sparkling eyes matched that laugh. Whenever we stopped by to visit, she met us at the door with a big smile and a martini in hand. Whenever my husband’s parents came to our house to celebrate a holiday, they brought Grandma and Grandpa DeBruin with them. Grandpa loved my scalloped potatoes, which had their place on the dinner table closest to his plate.

After those big dinners, the men would sit in the living room entertaining our two boys with their jokes while Grandma DeBruin and my mother-in-law helped me clean up dishes in the kitchen. Our conversations would eventually turn to grandma’s memories, and it was then that she imparted the words of wisdom that I have returned to so often throughout our marriage. She said, “Whenever things get difficult in life and you find yourself in a valley, do not despair; there will be a hill ahead, and from its top, the view will be much brighter. Remember that is what life is — a series of peaks and valleys.” I have never forgotten those wise words.

That brings us to moments of grace — and more stars. My husband and I used to teach religious education to high school students at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. We became friends with Jim, the religious education coordinator at the time. At one of our monthly teachers’ meetings, he broached the topic of “moments of grace.” Those were times, he explained, where we would find ourselves in the presence of God in a very special way. We may find them through prayer or sometimes they would find us. I found this intriguing in an intellectual way, but I would find it to be true when I least expected it.

By that time, my husband and I had been married for 10 years and found ourselves at a difficult time in life. Our boys were in grade school, I was in a difficult job, and my husband had just lost a job he really had enjoyed. We were trying our best, but things just had not worked out as we had imagined. He was not yet at the end of his rope, but I was dangerously close to mine to be sure. Supper was over, and the kitchen was cleaned up, so I decided to go for a walk.

It was a cool autumn evening, and I found myself at St. Anthony’s Grotto, a very serene place right beside the church. I began to pray — hard. This was not easy for me, for I tended to take matters into my own hands most of the time in order to get things done. But I could not figure out what to do at this juncture of my life so I gave it up to God. I asked for a sign that things would get better. I looked up to see a star fall from one side of the night sky to the other. In that moment, I fully understood the meaning of a moment of grace. I saw it, I felt it and returned home with renewed confidence that we would find our way through to a better place.

No one makes it through this life without troubles. There are illnesses, times of uncertainty, feelings of being lost with nowhere to turn, and problems with no known solutions at hand. But we can go on. We are all capable of adaptability and resilience. Our species is living proof of this. The tree that bends is the tree that weathers the storm.

So, take a deep breath. Look to the stars for guidance if necessary. Remember that you can rise to the hilltops from the depths of the valleys. And know that you can experience a moment of grace when you least expect it … just believe.

——

NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

They welcome anyone who would like to entertain the residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.

On the third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. they host a Memory Cafe – a fun hour to spend with others. For more information, contact Jaime Hathaway at jlhathaway@protonmail.com. The program is run by donations.

Sunday: Catholic Mass on TV, 10 a.m.; Strong Tower Church, 1 p.m.; coloring.

Monday: Fixing up for the party; wear green and let’s have fun, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Nails, 10 a.m.; word games, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Movie in the dining room, 10 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Early bird bingo, 10 a.m.; bunny visits, 11 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; small group in activities room, 11:30 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Word search, 10 a.m.; family time, 2 p.m.; “Weakest Link” on PBS, 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 8:30 a.m.; “Name That Tune,” 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.

Monday: Early bird bingo, 9:30; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; crazy hat party, 2:15 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.; reminisce, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends, 9:30 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; book club, 10:30 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; Dan’s songs for seniors, 2 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social/animal kingdom, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; getting pretty, 1:30 p.m.; men’s club, 2:30 p.m.; night bingo, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; United Lutheran Church, 2 p.m.; happy hour with Jim, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; casino trip, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; pass the prize, 2 p.m.; romance movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: ICMCF word search/volleyball, 9:30 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; western movie, 6 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: Devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; games or movie, 1 p.m.; March Madness begins this week.

Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; St. Patrick’s Day facts, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; St. Patrick’s Day bingo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Yahtzee club, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; March equinox, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; karaoke, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; mystery prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Manicures, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; craft or games, 1 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Families are allowed to attend activities and are encouraged to join in.

Sunday: Coffee and spelling bee, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 1:30 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; St. Patrick’s Day social, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service/Stations of the Cross, 9 a.m.; buzz words, 10 a.m.; tall tale adventures, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; coffee with a side of laughs, 10 a.m.; afternoon ride, 1 p.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass/Stations of the Cross, 9:30 a.m.; spring crosswords, 10:15 a.m.; what’s the scoop: banana splits, 2 p.m.

Friday: Uno, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Ray and Mindy, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Scrabble match, 10 a.m.; prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

No information was available.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

906-774-5158

Sunday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; trivia and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.

Pinecrest Medical

Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

Sunday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Bunco, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; church services, 1:30 p.m.; history of jazz, with snacks, 2:30 p.m.; coloring pages, daily chronicles.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; truth or blarney, 11 a.m.; St. Patrick’s Day party, 1:45 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.: book club, 4 p.m.; movie, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; juice hour and who-what-where, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; rummy, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; reading with Carney/Nadeau Elementary, 10 a.m.; SDA church service, 10:30 a.m.; crafty Wednesday, 1:45 p.m.; kings in corner, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo/finish the song lyrics, 10 a.m.; Kerplunk, 1:30 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; trivia, 11 a.m.; Celtic Band, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; game night, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; exercise group, 10 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; Bible studies, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 3 p.m.; activity packets.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Philly cheese sandwich with ground beef, baked fries, vegetable.

Wednesday: Oven fried fish and chips, tartar sauce, baked beans, vegetable.

Thursday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied carrots.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Dine-in eating Monday through Thursday at noon. Carryout meals are available. Soup and salad bar are also available at 11:30 a.m. Friday and night meals are on hold indefinitely. Menu for the week —

Monday: Pasty pie, vegetable, applesauce.

Tuesday: Chicken bacon ranch, parsley buttered noodles, vegetable, biscuit, yogurt parfait.

Wednesday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable.

Thursday: Chicken gravy over mashed potatoes, carrots, dinner roll, pudding.

Note: All meals served with a choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Crystal Falls Center

Head Cook: Elizabeth Peryam

Assistant Cooks: Debbie Bigalke and Shannon Stapleton

906-875-6709

The center is serving meals for dine-in or takeout – call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or place an order. All food purchased from local vendors. All dinners include warm vegetables, salad bar, soup, homemade desserts, coffee, tea or milk. Salad bar begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. Pickup for takeout meals is 4 p.m. — call ahead and leave a message with a phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Boiled dinner, corned beef and cabbage, potatoes.

Tuesday: Chicken pot pie with a biscuit topper.

Wednesday: Sloppy Joes, oven-browned potatoes, baked beans.

Home-delivered meals (prepared by DICSA — independent from above menu) —

Monday: Honey garlic chicken with vegetables, lo mein, whole wheat dinner roll.

Tuesday: Sloppy Joe with bun, baked macaroni and cheese, sweet potato fries.

Wednesday: Fish with vegetables, roasted potatoes, whole wheat dinner roll, Jell-O with fruit.

Thursday: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, Italian vegetables, garlic bread.

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

DICSA

Iron Mountain

906-774-2256, ext. 230 or 235

This is a Meals on Wheels program only. Home-delivered meals only — call to make arrangements. Menu for the week —

Monday: Honey garlic chicken with vegetables, lo mein, whole wheat dinner roll.

Tuesday: Sloppy Joe with bun, baked macaroni and cheese, sweet potato fries.

Wednesday: Fish with vegetables, roasted potatoes, whole wheat dinner roll, Jell-O with fruit.

Thursday: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, Italian vegetables, garlic bread.

Friday: Chicken tacos, Spanish rice, vegetable.

Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice, or no beverage.

For more information, call Christine McMahon at 906-774-2256.

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-828-1776

Schedule for the week:

Monday: Les Artistes art club, noon to 4 p.m.; woodcarvers, starting at 9 a.m.

Tuesday: Cards — Pinochle and cribbage, noon to 4 p.m.; Happy Quilters, noon to 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m.; cards cost 25 cents with 10 games played

Thursday: Spinning Spools quilting, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday: Cards — smear, noon to 4 p.m.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Open for dine-in eating — call for serving times. Carryout meals also available.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Pea soup, ham slider, pudding.

Tuesday: Stuffed peppers, chef’s choice potato, biscuit, pudding.

Wednesday: Evening meal – Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied carrots.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Honey garlic chicken with vegetables, lo mein, whole wheat dinner roll.

Tuesday: Sloppy Joe with bun, baked macaroni and cheese, sweet potato fries.

Wednesday: Fish with vegetables, roasted potatoes, whole wheat dinner roll, Jell-O with fruit.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Irish stew, biscuits, fruit, chocolate mint pie

Tuesday: Cook’s choice — entree, vegetable, fruit.

Wednesday: Spaghetti with meat sauce, spinach orange salad, garlic bread, fruit, peanut butter bars.

Thursday: Pulled pork on a bun, Mexican macaroni salad, sweet potato fries, fruit.

Friday: “Lazy” pierogi casserole, spinach orange salad, breadsticks, fruit.

Note: All meals served with whole grain bread, butter and milk.

Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center

Serving Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. RSVP by calling 715-589-4491.

Florence Community Center

Serving Monday through Thursday at 11:30 a.m. RSVP by calling 715-528-4261.

Fence Town Hall

Serving at noon on Wednesday only. RSVP by calling 715-589-4491.

Tipler Town Hall

Serving at noon on second Thursday only. RSVP by calling 715-528-4261.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Barb Peters

906-498-7735

Center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals are served through the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency in Escanaba. Meals-On-Wheels program is available for those who are homebound.

Monday: Corned beef, boiled cabbage, carrots, potatoes, apple slices, whole wheat bread, pistachio dessert.

Tuesday: Sweet and sour pork over rice, stir fry vegetables, Oriental salad, pineapple tidbits.

Wednesday: Chicken stroganoff with egg noodles, mixed vegetables, peas, whole wheat bread, diced pears.

Thursday: Ham and bean soup, tossed salad, cornbread, Mandarin oranges.

Friday: Battered pollack fish sandwich, root vegetable blend, creamed corn, fruit cocktail.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

m.; meal is served at 11:30 a.m. No night meals. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Chili, hard roll, pudding.

Tuesday: Oven-fried fish and chips, tartar sauce, vegetable.

Wednesday: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, Italian vegetables, garlic bread.

Thursday: Baked pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, peas and carrots, applesauce.

All meals are served with choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Niagara Senior Center/Cafe

715-251-1603

Dinner is served at noon Monday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation is $5 for those older than 60 and $11 for 60 and younger. Bingo played on most Wednesdays. Transportation is available.

Tuesday: Reuben casserole, boiled potatoes and carrots, pistachio dessert.

Wednesday: Bacon-wrapped pork, seasoned noodles, broccoli, fresh orange.

Thursday: Baked fish, sweet potato tots, baked beans, rye bread, apple crisp.

The center will have bingo on Tuesdays and Wednesdays this month.

Norway Center

Director: Alicia Rochon

906-563-8716

Dine-in eating begins at 11:15 a.m. Takeout meals are available for pick-up from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Let staff know if planning to dine in or pick up.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Corned beef, boiled potatoes, vegetable.

Tuesday: Barbecue pulled pork sandwich, french fries, coleslaw.

Wednesday: 4 p.m. — Barbecue ribs, mashed potatoes, gravy, wax beans.

Thursday: Meatballs with egg noodles and gravy, vegetable.

Board meeting on Thursday.

Center activity schedule:

Mondays and Thursdays — Exercise at 10 a.m. and card bingo after the meal.

Monday through Thursday — Card game 101 from noon to 3 p.m. Call Joe at 906-563-5587 for information.

Tuesdays — Quilting and sewing.

Wednesdays — Ceramics and crocheting.

Last Monday of each month — Book club at 9 a.m.

Second Thursday of each month — Birthdays and bingo.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Dine-in meals served, salad bar opens at 11 a.m. and meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals also available.

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Corned beef and cabbage, mashed potatoes, carrots, biscuit.

Wednesday: Pasty pie, corn, applesauce.

Thursday: Baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, biscuit.

All meals served with an option of milk, juice or no beverage.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Honey garlic chicken with vegetables, lo mein, whole wheat dinner roll.

Tuesday: Sloppy Joe with bun, baked macaroni and cheese, sweet potato fries.

Wednesday: Fish with vegetables, roasted potatoes, whole wheat dinner roll, Jell-O with fruit.