Last week, I found myself embarking on a journey that was both a professional milestone and a deeply personal experience. I had the honor of visiting the residents of Sunset House in Toledo, Ohio, making it my first author visit to a senior living community — and what an unforgettable journey it turned out to be!
Stepping into Sunset House, I was instantly enveloped in a wave of nostalgia. This was a homecoming to me. Back in 1995, I walked these same halls as an administrator-in-training, and I hadn’t returned since. It felt like coming full circle, returning to a place that had once shaped a significant part of my journey.
One particularly endearing moment that stood out that evening was with the facility’s cat. In a whimsical twist, this charming feline decided to take a leisurely nap atop my bag, the one carrying all my materials.
I am immensely grateful to Sunset House for inviting me to share my story of becoming an author. It was a joy to recount the twists and turns of my writing path, from the early days of my discovery of my love for storytelling to the eventual publication of my works. The highlight for me was sharing my very first story, written for a 6th grade English assignment at St. Clement School. Yes, I’ve kept that first piece of writing, a humble beginning that sparked a lifelong passion.
Thank you, Sunset House, for a truly memorable evening. It was a reminder of how our stories, no matter how small they start, can touch lives and connect us across time and place
