2nd Half with Lyngblomsten helps woman find peace amidst life’s challenges
August 17, 2017
Susan Galvin holds a painting of birch trees she created during a 2nd Half with Lyngblomsten class.
Caring for an aging parent can be stressful for anyone.
But for Susan Galvin, taking on that responsibility three-and-a-half years ago was especially challenging. At the time, she lived in Ely, Minnesota. Her mother, however, was 240 miles south in the Twin Cities. Not only would Susan have to move, but she'd have to do so while trying to manage her emotions.
Susan has bipolar disorder. While she had been managing well for several years in Ely, she knew that moving away from her familiar surroundings and routine could throw her world out of order. When she did move, that's what happened.
"It was horrific," Susan said about her move to the Twin Cities in January of 2014. "I did not know if I was going to pull through."
But slowly she began to regain her peace, thanks to connections she made with People Incorporated (a Twin Cities nonprofit that serves people with mental illness), a lot of prayer, and art classes offered through 2nd Half with Lyngblomsten.
Susan learned about Lyngblomsten while grabbing a bite to eat at the Underground Music Cafe in Falcon Heights. A copy of Lyngblomsten Lifestyle (our quarterly magazine) was out, so she decided to read it. What intrigued her the most was learning about the plethora of arts and lifelong learning activities offered to older adults—and all at affordable prices—through 2nd Half with Lyngblomsten.
So she decided to give it a shot and started attending morning and afternoon art classes led by instructors from Art with Heart. Participating in these classes was—and continues to be—a healing experience for her.
"Art is one of the most non-threatening, beautiful ways to find peace and harmony," Susan said. "Even if you've never done art a day in your life, you'd be amazed at what these instructors we have can help you to find within yourself. It's so exciting."
And it isn't just the act of putting paint on a canvas that's helped Susan learn a bit more about herself. She's also found healing by sharing her story with others.
"When I first started coming here, eventually I was able to share that [I had bipolar disorder] with my instructors," Susan said. "The love, the acceptance, the encouragement—just their ability to know when I came in and I was having a rough day, and they just surrounded me with love. It has been a major part of my healing."
Today, Susan is giving back to others through opportunities available through 2nd Half with Lyngblomsten. In June, she spent a day volunteering with Open Hands Midway, a nonprofit that provides meals, food, clothing, and household items to people in need. It's one of several new volunteer opportunities offered through 2nd Half.
"In my spiritual life, it's very important that no matter how little you have, you have something to give," Susan said. "My mother raised us with that motto."
Susan's mother died on May 24, 2017, having been able to spend all but the last two weeks of her life living in her own home thanks to the care she received from Susan and her other children.
Susan misses her deeply, and she is aware of how her bipolar disorder can intensify her sadness. She's confident, however, that she'll be able to get through it. The participants, instructors, and opportunities available through 2nd Half with Lyngblomsten will help her with that.
Check out all the opportunities available through 2nd Half with Lyngblomsten at www.lyngblomsten.org/2ndHalf.
Major funding for 2nd Half is made possible by the Lyngblomsten Foundation. See how you can get involved and make a difference at www.lyngblomsten.org/get-involved.