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The collection was created by Abbie, and her daughter Anna Maria Lehrke created the programs spotlighting the collection, which have as many parts and pieces as the number of bags. Countless hours went into designing that first showing in 2013, to ensure it was special for her mother, who was the star of the show. Anna quickly discovered the real treasure wasn't the bags, but in the joy sparked and stories shared.
The collection was created by Abbie, and her daughter Anna Maria Lehrke created the programs spotlighting the collection, which have as many parts and pieces as the number of bags. Countless hours went into designing that first showing in 2013, to ensure it was special for her mother, who was the star of the show. Anna quickly discovered the real treasure wasn't the bags, but in the joy sparked and stories shared.
After Abbie passed away in 2016, the Collection sat quietly on basement shelves, and Anna's "bucket list." Upon retiring from professional work in leadership development in 2022, she brought the exhibit back to life and kept a promise made between her and her mom to do additional showings. As each venue, space and resident community is unique, so is each showing. In the years since, the programs have grown to impact even more audiences with joy, laughter, remembrance and stories. Anna puts her heart into each and every showing to ensure the memory, spirit and legacy of her mother is honored and celebrated.
After Abbie passed away in 2016, the Collection sat quietly on basement shelves, and Anna's "bucket list." Upon retiring from professional work in leadership development in 2022, she brought the exhibit back to life and kept a promise made between her and her mom to do additional showings. As each venue, space and resident community is unique, so is each showing. In the years since, the programs have grown to impact even more audiences with joy, laughter, remembrance and stories. Anna puts her heart into each and every showing to ensure the memory, spirit and legacy of her mother is honored and celebrated.
Anna has a passion for creating experiences that enable others to connect, discover, explore, learn, grow and celebrate the joy of living. As a long-time hospice volunteer and advocate for older adults, she designed the programs with reminiscing and life-enrichment in mind. Success is measured in smiles, laughs, stories, oohs, aahs and even happy tears.
Anna has a passion for creating experiences that enable others to connect, discover, explore, learn, grow and celebrate the joy of living. As a long-time hospice volunteer and advocate for older adults, she designed the programs with reminiscing and life-enrichment in mind. Success is measured in smiles, laughs, stories, oohs, aahs and even happy tears.
Why I do This Work...
Why I do This Work...
Because I love...
seeing the joy it brings to others,
honoring my mom's memory,
hearing the stories sparked by the bags.
meeting so many amazing, interesting people.
learning from guests who share their knowledge of bags.
being reminded it's our uniqueness that makes us beautiful, and our smiles and stories that make us sparkle.
swaying to the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and others on the playlist for these programs.
growing older, and younger at heart, at the same time!
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