We were lucky to catch up with Charlotte Canion recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Charlotte, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

My journey started when I was young, but it took over 60 years to realize what my real purpose was going to be. I have always been a free spirit and thought my mission was to be a mother and raise my children. My first husband died of cancer, so I was a caregiver then, but did not realize this was only the beginning. It wasn’t until I became the caregiver for three patents, that my real calling came to light. After 16 years of caring for these wonderful seniors, did I realize God had a mission for me. I wrote the award-winning book “You Have to LAUGH to keep from CRYING – How to Parent Your Parents”. This was the door I had to walk through. After speaking and signing my book for several years, I was ask to be in the Ms Texas Senior America Pageant. That was a real eye opener. I won 1st runner-up and was ask to be President of their Cameo Club. My talent for the pageant was a senior comedy skit. I wrote the song I sung and the jokes I told were my own life stories. I have 20 grand-children and they give me a wealth of experiences with laughter. I have learned that humor is the best medicine and since then, I have performed, sharing my stories. My passion is to “Make a Senior Smile”, teaching that laughter is the universal language and heals the body and soul. Do I wish I could have entered this career sooner, oh, yes.
I have a natural talent of telling jokes and sharing the humor in every story I share. I have been told by many that my gifts, talent and treasures are a blessing to everyone who knows or hears me. I have also been told “to know me is to love me”.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am Charlotte Canion and I became the VOICE of the CAREGIVER, after caring for three Seniors for 16 years (Mom with ALzheimer’s – Dad withParkinson’s – Father-in-law with Dementia). I myself am a senior and understand the challenges that comes with aging. I am an Award Winning Author, Speaker and Coach. Life in my 70’s has become the most rewarding time of my life. Doors are opening everywhere, speaking, writing and entertaining that fills my life. As a Texas SuperStar Master Gardener, I am able to help seniors garden in a safe way with KeyHole and Container Gardening. The path that I am on today leads me to learn more and give back to others. It is my pleasure to Make Seniors Smile (that is my motto) and allow others to pour into my pool of knowledge. Remember Laughter is the Best Medicine, so smile and laugh more, it will improve you life.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Everyone in life has a story to tell and I have many, but as a caregiver most of my adult life, one story stands out. I had been the caregiver for my first husband with cancer, a father-in-law with dementia, a mother with Alzheimer’s and a father with Parkinson’s. Yet here I was again facing the word cancer. My second husband was diagnosed with stomach cancer and the outlook was very grim. Doctors said it was a fluke that they found the Cancer, because had it gone un-diagnosed, he would have died in 6 months or less. Within a week he was in surgery. The surgery was just under 6 hours and the doctors gave me little hope. As I sat in the waiting room, my mind, body and soul felt like a out of body experience. I was numb! Could I, should I and would I survive this ordeal? I had to be strong for my children. It is now almost 15 years since this event and I did survive, I am an influencer and I continue to learn, grow and help others. Would I change any of my circumstances of my life? No, I am the person I am today, because of all that I have been through. My husband and I have been married for 35 years and growing together is what we do best.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

As an author, speaker and coach, my mission is to share my stories to help others travel the Caregivers Journey, with knowledge. Knowledge is power! Love – Respect – Patience – Forgiveness are three words that are essential to survive and strive in life.
I use these words in every talk that I give.
My goal is to help others use these words to make life better for everyone.
The world would be a better place if we all treated our fellow humans with LOVE – RESPECT – PATIENCE – FORGIVENESS!

Contact Info:

• Website: charlottecanion.speaks.now.site
• Instagram: CharlotteCanion
• Facebook: Charlotte Boatman Canion
• Linkedin: Charlotte Canion
• Twitter: Charlotte Canion
• Youtube: Charlotte Canion
• Other: YouhavetoLaughtokeepfromCrying.net

Image Credits
Lots of people have helped me to accomplish where I am today. My husband is my biggest cheerleader.