THE JOYS OF SPRING

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It is said that April showers bring May flowers. In the final month of Spring I have a lot to be thankful for. The last 3 months required an impromptu hiatus of Elevate Change Radio, as I, your host and founder had to take a step back and as life sent me on a tailspin, that I had to learn to embrace and recover from. Along the way, to breakup my focus on my woes, I had some adventures. Here are the highlights:

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In February, my family and I celebrated my Grandma’s 95th Birthday!!!! We planned it from Texas and implemented it beautifully in Wisconsin where she lives. She absolutely loved her party and was truly the Belle of the Ball.

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March… was a complete setback! Long story short my cousin won a cruise from his casino run in Mississippi last February, and I in gracious fashion said yes to the dress so to speak. We registered and paid for the cruise last March to set sail this March. But boy do I ever wish we had passed on this vacation! LOL! To be economical we booked layover flights to Florida through Atlanta and back home to Texas.

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(Not knowing the political and economic drama to come for March 2026! TSA shortages, flight crew shortages, delays, failing equipment, cancelled flights and storms…) We endured delay after delay just to get to Florida. But the first 24hours of the cruise went well… then it was all downhill from there. Norovirus broke out and we both were sick, first him then the next day me… (in an interior cabin, no less! So no windows or balcony for a reprieve!) And in between we paid for overpriced tours/taxis at each destination, when all we wanted was some waves and beach time. Sigh! But we were determined to make the best of it and find joy at every opportunity.

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And just when I thought it could get no worse,  leaving the cruise to make our way home, I was hit with acute vertigo, and could not walk and needed assistance. I’m talking help to hold me upright to get in and out of places, and wheelchair assistance at the airport. My cousin held me down though! Cudos for the support!

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We got stuck in Florida due to sick flight crew and eventual flight cancellation. The next day we finally made it to Atlanta for our now quick one day stay to visit with friends and wouldn’t you know it! It was sleeting and snowing, and all we had were summer cruise clothes! LOL!

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We finally made it home to Texas (still suffering from acute vertigo), and I started to feel even worse so I booked a appointment with my doctor and found out I now had and ear infections, 3 days later I found myself in the ER with extreme leg pain, vertigo, and exhaustion…. Surprise, surprise! I was suffering from a blot clot in my left leg, vertigo was still in full effect, ear infection rocking strong, and the cherry on top!... I also now had flu A!

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It took me all of March to recover, but I am proud to say no more clot and not more vertigo, and no more sickness!

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April, brought more family celebration, My Aunt Debbie turned 70! We celebrated in Vegas and played hard, laughed a lot, and ate well. And I did win a little bit in Vegas, but they made sure to take it all back plus what I brought by the end of the trip! But I time was definitely had!

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UPCOMING INTERVIEWS & COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

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• Oh Lordy! I’m Forty!  That’s right, Elza Ala`Niece, your host and founder is turning 40 this May! Whew! How time flies!   If files like just yesterday I was 25 and blinked and now I am about to be 40 in just 12 short days!

 

• This year, I’ll be connecting with business owners, artists, and visionaries across industries — each bringing a unique story of resilience, creativity, and purpose. Stay tuned for upcoming features, including:

 

• Local entrepreneurs making waves in Houston

• Artists using their craft to inspire change

• Innovators building solutions for everyday challenges

 

If you know someone whose story deserves to be heard, reply to this email — I’d love to connect.

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MAY REFLECTION: “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish”

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As we step into May, remember: The unexpected speedbumps and sharp turns in the road may slow you down, but they can never truly stop you. It does not matter what it looks like, it only matters that you stay true to your purpose.

 

Thank you to all who have sent donations as they help to keep Elevate Change Radio going!

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