It’s not every day we get to be a little rowdy and spend a few hours together. Laughter and appreciation took over as the theme of the About Senior Solutions holiday party. We enjoyed a thoughtfully planned game of Jeopardy, with categories such as “Essential Acronyms” and “Employee Guess Who.” Alex Trebek would have been proud.

Then a question came up under the category “There’s Something About Mary for $500.”

“About Senior Solutions was founded in 2007. What was Mary’s inspiration?”

A team member promptly raised their hand and said, “Who is Mary’s dad?” I was surprised she remembered that.

I lost myself in the moment. It took me back to before 2007—before having children. A time when my shoulder pads were big and so was my hair. Really big. AquaNet big. The ’80s were my decade, and it was a time when my dad would share his dreams of something bigger than himself—a way to leave a legacy and develop a family business.

We bought properties and turned some of them into board-and-care homes. He started an Adult Day Care. He longed to make life better for others. Time passed, and his partnerships changed, but he remained committed to making a difference. Then one day, he collapsed during a meeting and was rushed to the hospital. It was a time filled with uncertainty and a sudden need for planning. I got to work.

I had been in healthcare for years and knew what needed to be done once he was stable and able to go home. But then I realized—do other people know how this system works, or does it overwhelm them, shortchange them, or dismiss their needs? That’s when I knew I needed to establish a service to support older adults and everyone in the circle who cares about them.

My thoughts returned to the game as someone yelled, “Holiday Hijinks for $200!” It was a joy to watch everyone enjoying themselves and one another. No doubt my dad would have been proud.

I’m deeply honored by the dedication of this team and by all that we’ve accomplished in 2025. I see how we transform the lives of our clients and honor and protect them every day. Many blessings to you, and thank you for being part of our community. I look forward to an amazing 2026—and to spending a little more time together.