After a bit of reflection and contemplation about these past 12 months, I made the decision to do a year in review as 2024 was quickly coming to a close. I wasn’t quite ready to simply just step over the threshold to greet yet another new year.
Sorry, this isn’t a political retrospective or a social statement.
It’s my story, my year…Perhaps this will serve as a reminder that we just never know from one moment to the next what’s in store for us. BY the way, dreams DO come true. Of this I am certain.
2024 was my year of realized dreams .
If you’re a follower of the syndicated columns that I write then you’re aware of the passion that I have for teaching fitness programs designed for Seniors and Baby Boomers.
If you’re new to my work, then please read on.
My training has been extensive as a fitness instructor. The constant flow of students in classes has numbered well over 600 ladies and gents over these past 13 years who sought to improve their health through music and movement…especially to the tunes from the oldies of the 50’s and 60’s.
This year, our classes grew more than any other year to date. I never expected to be in my 71st year of life teaching my peers so enthusiastically participating week after week!
Additionally, I developed a very successful offshoot of the fitness program called, Aging with Grace…growing wiser with age.
I brought in professionals who taught all manner of health related subjects for the aging individual to my eager groups. Here’s a few examples of the programs we’ve enjoyed this past year.
Many thanks to the insightful program taught by Licensed Acupuncturist, Ms Hui-Hsin Liu, who practices in Greenville NY.
Ms Hui-Hsin Liu has brought a new level of understanding of the importance of alternative care practices to this area for the many ailments associated with the aging process. So many of my students have achieved great results under Ms Liu’s care.
One very popular and well attended program this past Spring included an Occupational Therapist, Jen Rheinmiller, who spoke about how to age in place at home. This was a particularly worrisome subject for so many of the students that hadn’t quite voiced their concern openly before. By the time Jen had completed this class, we knew we had found a true friend in her. She vowed to return with even more suggestions and support going forward.
Health Insurance 2025, was one of the hottest topics this year. We all needed information as it related to our individual health insurance changes that were set to take place in the new year.
Under the expert clarifications of Erin Nevins, of the Nevins Insurance Agency in Greenville,N.Y., we learned how to navigate these changes to choose the best plans to meet our individual needs.
Everyone of the 30 who attended found this program incredibly useful. We’re forever grateful to the Nevins Agency.
Moving on…it was between mid February through June of 2024, that I was honestly dumbfounded when I was acknowledged by not one of my publishers but the two who I write for.
Matt Avitable and Warren Dews, Jr.
Two very special, hard working, patient men.
The Mountain Eagle Newspaper, under the direction of Matt Avitable, the publisher, approached me offering to produce my first book, “Reflections…anything but an ordinary life.”
Matt expressed his interest in publishing this book based on the popularity of my weekly column in his newspaper.
I’ll never forget that email. I must’ve re-read it 20 times before I said….”YES!” I’m interested.”
And so, I began a very unexpected 6 month journey involving a mastering of Google Docs (ha! I jest) to complete the book to send off to Matt for printing.
By mid June of 2024, I had received the first 30 copies of my book and within a few weeks time had sold every one, quickly moving on to more orders and more sales. I was overwhelmed with a mixture of disbelief and joy.
There were many wonderful reviews that were written about my book on Amazon.com by those friends, family, and readers who were enjoying the book. That was the icing on the cake.
THIS was a dream come true. I never expected this to be the year that I’d be adding the title of book author to my list of accomplishments.
Book two is now in the works. Unbelievable!
There’s definitely one more pretty wonderful, unexpected achievement that landed at my doorstep this year as well.
I’d be totally remiss if I didn’t acknowledge this very special occasion…being named one of the TOP CHANGE MAKERS of Green County for my work with Seniors.
I’m not going to lie. I wasn’t gracious about accepting this acknowledgement at first. I declined initially, YES, declined, thinking there were far many more worthy recipients.
It took the perseverance of the
Greenville Pioneer publisher, Warren Dews, Jr. who called me personally to “discuss” this award. If you know Warren, you know he’s persuasive and doesn’t really take no for an answer style is very unique. And one phone call and 20 minutes later I was happily accepting this award and then agreeing to attend the ceremony and to give a speech to boot.
All in all, this was a pretty stellar year and the common thread is definitely my involvement in this community. I’m so happy I took the time to review 2024. I can’t wait to see what 2025 will bring to my doorstep.
Pat Larsen lives, works and plays in Greene County, NY with her husband Chris and pup Lily.
Feel free to contact Pat to chat via phone or email.
pelarsen5@aol.com or 518-275-8686
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