Inspirations for Better Living by From My Mama’s K July | Page 8

CONTRIBUTORS ( CONTINUED )
MARLENE RATLEDGE BUCHANAN
lives with enthusiasm as a woman , wife , mother , teacher , and writer . She is quick to say that she ’ d plan to marry someone old and rich but only got old . This is often immediately followed by how she knew on her first date with Snell , her husband , that he was the one for her to the point she proposed . After his refusal , she considered getting him pregnant . After seven years of marriage , a beautiful olive skin baby boy with a head full of black hair became a part of their lives . James suffered a lack of oxygen during delivery , resulting in him having special needs . She refers to James ’ condition as a special gift . After thirtyfour years of being in public education , Marlene retired in 2007 . In the classroom , she earned the name “ Ms . Rat ,” which garnered her a collection of rat figurines and collectibles over the years from her students . As a Southern Humorist , Marlene has been entertaining readers with her observations about life through her column , Hey Y ’ all , published in the Gwinnett Citizen in Georgia since 2015 . Her column first appeared in the life section of the Snellville Patch . She combined a collection of essays into her first book , “ Life is Hard , Soften It with Laughter .” Her columns ’ subject matter primarily centers around life events she has experienced , but no topic or any person is off-limits . Marlene returns with her unique commentary column , “ Anything Goes with Mama Marlene ,” with a remarkable story of how her son James became the “ Alaska Expert ” in one of the family vacation trips !
ANN PAPAYOTI
is the founder of SkyView Coaching . She is an international life , leadership , and relationship coach , speaker , writer , educator , and co-author of The Gift of Shift , an intimate self-help book . Ann is an Expert Contributor for YourTango Media and has been featured in MSN , Google , Yahoo , and Apple News . She has spoken at conferences , summits , and commemorations , both live and online , throughout North America . Ann captivates , educates , and inspires audiences through sharing her personal experiences of loss , transition , and triumph . She helps people rise above life ’ s painful and challenging moments , so they can revive their life and thrive once more . Ann has helped and guided thousands to attain their personal and professional goals . Known among her friends as the go-to girl if you are experiencing problems , Ann could have started her own ‘ Dear Annie ’ column decades ago ! Her high school yearbook quotes a classmate describing her as a “ good listener .” Little did she know then that listening with empathy was an invaluable , innate skill that would become foundational to her life ’ s work . Ann ’ s remarkable life ’ s journey and passion for family love are genuinely a hallmark we all need to strive for . Ann returns with a couple of excellent pieces of advice to help “ Curious ,” and “ Disturbed ” in their life journeys with her advisory column , “ Dear Annie .”
CATHI CUREN
8 | Inspirations for Better Living • July 2022
Lifestyle Design Consultant and Career Coach , Adjunct Faculty Psychology , Pepperdine GSEP , has spent over 30 years researching the family dynamics and how our early relationships and environments influence our lives . She is a specialist in Public and Corporate Education and Training in Career / Work-Life Balance and Relationships . As the “ Holistic Children Radio ” podcaster , Cathi provides techniques and tools to support families with their emotional , spiritual , physical , financial , and environmental health . She is also the author of the original “ Me + U ” Interactive Journal Series , which helps parents , children , couples , and colleagues crack open communication , respectively , in their unique way . As our Kitchen Table Conversation host , Cathi returns with a wonderful reminder about how enjoying “ Simple Summer Pleasures ” with our family can become life ’ s most memorable experiences !