Every morning at 7 a.m., Evelyn sits by her living room window with a cup of tea and her tablet. The crossword app opens automatically—it’s become as routine as brushing her teeth. At seventy‑four, she read an article about brain health and cognitive decline and decided she didn’t want to drift passively into forgetfulness.
But she added her own twist. Before starting, she whispers, “Lord, thank You that my mind still works. Use it for good today.” Each solved clue brings a small surge of satisfaction. When she struggles, she laughs at herself instead of getting frustrated.
She begins to notice the themes—words about music, nature, history. They remind her of old hymns, childhood trips, and stories she hasn’t told her grandkids yet. So she starts sharing them, one puzzle at a time.
One afternoon, her granddaughter asks, “Grandma, why do you love these so much?” Evelyn smiles. “Because each answer reminds me there’s still more to learn, more to remember, more of me that’s alive.”
The puzzles don’t guarantee perfect memory, but they do something powerful—they train her to stay curious and thankful. Brain health and soul health, it turns out, can grow together.
Evelyn isn’t trying to fight time; she’s simply meeting each new day awake—one clue, one prayer, one story at a time.