Nonnas
May 2025
Hello to you!
Holidays, like Mother's Day, can often ignite a melancholy feeling, especially as we grow older. Loved ones may no longer be here. Traditions have been modified or compromised over time. Expectations are far different than what shows up. So, today, as I write this, I hope reading this newsletter may be like a soothing balm for those of you that might be a bit blue. Know that is my intention. I would like that.
I had a medical procedure days before Mother's Day. All I wanted was to be horizontal, and to surrender to a feel-good movie to soothe my pain and get me ready for sweet dreams.
Netflix delivered. I came upon a feel-good film called 'Nonnas.' It was a tender and simple story about Joey, a young Italian man who was depressed because his Mom and Nonna (Grandmother) had passed recently, and he was oh, so lonely. His Mom left him a small inheritance and he was looking for something that would make him smile again. He thought of replacing his well-worn furniture and then paint the walls a different color to give his tiny apartment a feel good feeling. Meanwhile, his Italian family surrounded his days and the traditional foods nourished his soul with the familiar and authentic spices and aromas that helped him feel better with the memories that still felt so real to him.
One rainy day he found himself strolling a popular street fair in a Staten Island marketplace. There on the corner was a long-ago abandoned Italian restaurant for sale. His aha! moment that slithered fast and furious into his heart was his desire to open an Italian restaurant, named after his Mom, of course. The key differentiator being that only Nonnas would do the cooking and provide the place for traditional family gatherings like he had as a boy. He would invite other Italian families and neighbors who missed the traditions as much as the dishes that had secret spices and methods known only to family members to continue.
The Grandmothers he hired were originally from all parts of Italy and their competitive bantering made their food taste even more real, whether it came from Bologna or Sicily.
Our main character, Joey, held the authentic vision, though the reality of the rules and needs of opening and running a food establishment was quite a surprise. Indeed, he ran through his $200,000 inheritance quickly, spending every penny plus monies he borrowed from his closest friends, who thought he was crazy and his Nonna idea even crazier. But, Joey was hooked and that entrepreneurial 'do or die' vision had him working late into the night determined to make this idea work.
I took my last Tylenol before the movie had its happy ending, and I laid back down, my two cats cuddled close for the comfort that I welcomed.
That's when I remembered back in 2008. The economy had tanked. Christmas was just a few months away, very critical to our gift-giving business at Cookies from Home, and the brain-storm idea I had in the middle of the night was to hire Grandmas for our 24/7 baking shifts. Who better to hire who could use the money during these tough times and who better to honor our own Grandmas whose recipes were the source of our award-winning cookies? It was a brilliant idea, and I pictured my own Grandmother, waving her lovingly pointed finger at me like she always did when it was important for me to listen and pay attention. Although it was 3am that morning, I couldn't wait to wake up Barry and share this strategy with him.
When I finally got to bed after the film ended, my pain had subsided, and my dreams brought back all the Fabulous Grandmas (pictured above) that worked for us that Holiday season. The bakery had photos of grandkids wherever there was space. And, yes, more orders than we hoped for! On our last day of the Season, we had our own Grammy Awards to celebrate our success. Friends were made, phone numbers were exchanged, and my heart was full, knowing our own Grandma's were smiling because they knew for sure that they, as always, were at the center of our success.
Talk to me. Susan Brooks (602) 228-5279
Featured Modern Elders*
Hilda Villaverde
Age 75
The last time I spoke with Hilda was in 2018 after she co-authored four books in the Living Brave Series of Stories that Inspire. My readers know from our many years together, that Being Brave is of vital importance to how I live my life and coach my clients. I wanted to know more about Hilda's work.
Hilda is the owner of Pluma Designs, a boutique hair salon studio in Scottsdale. Her career in the beauty industry as a successful and respected hair stylist and business owner span five decades.
Her most recent book, after publishing 10 prior books, is 'I Am My Mother's Daughter: A Heritage Memoir of Resilience, Devotion, and Transformation.' Ann Videan's review piqued my interest: "If you like to wonder at the inexplicable, revel in redemption stories, and believe in the power of a mother's love, this book will fascinate you and warm your heart." That sure did get my attention.
As a result of her life experiences as a young woman, Hilda became an ordained minister in her forties in the New Thought Movement and earned her doctorate in religious studies with a minor in pastoral counseling from Emerson Institute at the age of 55. In her books and speaking engagements, Hilda offers her personal experiences with a common-sense perspective and humor to encourage women to embrace their fears, take risks, develop an abundant attitude, and discover their spiritual purpose.
In her book, I Am My Mother's Daughter, Hilda journeys deep into the Latina experience of la familia by retracing the life of her mother, Maria Parra Villaverde-Ramirez. She shares profound lessons in unconditional love shining through Maria's encounters with multi-cultural transitions in her adopted country of the United States, abuse in her home and neighborhoods, and raising four children in an environment of scarce resources. A brave woman, Hilda's mother did more than survive, she flourished and through resilience and devotion to her family she became a woman of grace and substance. A role model for Hilda.
True to her Mexican heritage and its reverence for faith, family and friendships, Hilda absolutely enjoys being a sibling, mother and grandmother, dedicated friend, and best mother-in-law she can be. She credits her passion for life to her mother and to her faith in a loving, living God.
At 75, Hilda stays actively engaged in making her life robust and mindfully engaged. Writing books and a monthly newsletter - Pluma Snippets, working full time in her hair salon, she recently attended a ten-week long class, Scottsdale Government 101, to stay current on cultural and government changes and services available in our community. She believes that serving, learning and curiosity are the keys to staying young.
Her book is available for purchase on Amazon.com and available at Hilda's boutique salon in Scottsdale, 7000 E. Shea Blvd. #1614. This book has already made #1 in Hispanic and Latino history. "I'm thrilled and humbled."
Hilda exemplifies the passion and curiosity of a very happy Modern Elder!
If retirement or the next chapter is calling your name, if I can help you realize your vision in business and lifestyle, email me. Let's make it happen now! Susan@SusanLBrooks.com.
*Chip Conley, best-selling author and speaker, hospitality entrepreneur and leading thought leader, created The Modern Elder Academy's mission "to inspire the ability to reframe a lifetime of experience and recognize one's mastery, relevance, and value in the modern workplace." The Modern Elder* is Conley's term and effort that "liberates and inspires us to embrace wisdom as a path of growing whole, not old...The Modern Elder marries wisdom and curiosity."
Every month this newsletter will Feature the stories and wisdom of Modern Elders.
Share your Modern Elders with us...maybe it's you!! Please send in your Modern Elder Story along with a one-line Wisdom statement plus photo to be featured. CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT.
Today, I am 78 years old, and proud of it! Paul Simon, who is now in his 80's said it best years ago: us boomers were BORN AT THE RIGHT TIME!
Yes, I was born at the right time! I'm still a hippie from the 60's, I marched for civil rights for all humans, equal rights for women, waving my bra with the best. I am proud to be living and growing in a robust marriage of 57 years. I survived motherhood, and so did my now-adult children. I was an award-winning woman business owner when there were but a few of us. I've learned a whole bunch of lessons, and more importantly, I've earned my fair share of Wisdom, too. I am Pro-Age!
According to Chip Conley, one of today's leading thought leaders: "Experience is making a comeback. Wisdom never grows old." Chip created the hallmarks of the Modern Elder*: "learning to marry wisdom and experience with curiosity, cultivating a beginner's mind so that learning never ends, exemplifying a willingness to evolve both as a student and sage." Research shows that shifting our mindset about Aging can add 7.4 happy years to a person's life.
Proud to say I am a graduate of the Modern Elder Academy as well as an active participant in Wise Aging: Living with Joy, Resilience, and Spirit programs. As one of the creators and hosts of the Thrive@55 event, we celebrated our female community leaders who were 55+.
As long as I'm able to see the sunrise every morning and keep a curious mind, there's more living to do, so much more to learn, and so many new ways to serve. Trailblazer that I am, and always will be, I recognize my next mission: by example and demonstration I am committed to Changing the Face of Aging: One Modern Elder* at a time!
I welcome both local and national speaking engagements as well as one-on-one coaching opportunities to delve more deeply into navigating life transitions. Email me Here.
Sign up for my Changing the face of Aging monthly newsletter!
Sign Up
© 2025 SUSAN L. BROOKS | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Privacy Policy