Mary Kay to 'Care for area Care Givers' April 7

Have you ever experienced an occasion when things seem to line up and fall into place, and events work out to bring the greatest good for the most amount of people? Some people call those times "God moments." Others utter the word "Karma." I especially like the word "serendipity."

One of those moments happened last week. I walked down the hall from Peace Counseling Center to the Gathering Area at Peace Lutheran Church where Susie Moore was holding a Mary Kay consultants meeting. I told her that with it being the first Monday of the month that people coming to the monthly care giver's meeting might walk into her meeting instead of coming to the counseling office. I asked her if she would redirect them and she agreed.

As I walked away, I heard someone say "After we give them facials!"

I stopped in my tracks and walked back and said "What did you say?" and she repeated it. It was at that moment that Susie and I locked eyes and had the same exact thought.

Susie voiced it first by saying "Who more than care givers need some pampering? They do so much for others and get very little care giving themselves."

Thus, the idea was born — Caring for the Care Givers. On Monday evening, April 7, Mary Kay consultants will offer a "time out" for area care givers from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. The participants will be treated to an hour of pampering — from skin care to color cosmetics. Each individual will enjoy products that are specific to her needs and wants, in a therapeutic environment with other care givers. There will be no pressure to purchase anything and no cost is involved. The idea is to enjoy a fun-filled hour just for themselves.

If you are interested, it would be helpful to register so there will be enough Mary Kay staff on hand. Call Lori Poyer at Peace Counseling Center at (517) 543-1150 to register by April 4.

The Care Givers Group is held the first Monday of the month (unless a holiday, in which case it is the second Monday) at Peace Lutheran Church from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. It is open to anyone care giving for someone. Examples include: middle-aged children caring for parents with Alzheimer's or another disorder, spouses caring for an ailing spouse, and parents caring for a child with a disability. There is no fee. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans sponsors this monthly group.

Lori Poyer, LMSW, ACSW, works at Peace Counseling Center in Charlotte.