keys to happiness (cont.)
Alayna asks her mother if she can let of places she loves. The couple’s Colonial
woman, Bonnie has had time to nourish her
the dogs come out and Michele agrees. Place home is a living reminder of Jennifer’s
own artistic insights, her ability to inspire
Shoyu and Shaggy pad into the kitchen. love of color and harmonious order. Me-
others to create beauty in their surround-
Alayna wraps her arms around Shoyu, mentos of their travels populate shelves
ings, and to discover herself.
laying her face on his brown, furry neck. and their earth-toned walls. Their home is
So what makes Bonnie Primm happy
A Charles M. Shultz quote comes to mind: a welcoming place for colleagues, students,
these days?
“Happiness is a warm puppy.” and friends.
Grandchildren, for one thing. She has
For Michele, happiness is a world The circle of intentionally positive
two.
where dogs, toddlers, marriage, yoga, and women that surround Jennifer because of
“I love to drive up to Charlottesville
part-time work all mix and blend, like a her work in Women’s Studies increases
and go to a doggone, silly, muddy soccer
pastel painting, echoing the peaceful way her happiness, she says. Still, there’s a
game, watch the parents and remember
she lives. balance.
when I was doing that, and make the little
“By nature, I’m more extroverted and
boys pancakes in the morning,” she says
SHARING A VISION I get more energy from people, but I also
gleefully.
For some women, happiness grows when crave time alone. I love my own company!”
She keeps each of her grandchildren
we share what we love with others. she says, her brown eyes twinkling.
for one week every summer and counts
When Jennifer Fish was a girl in A rescued Brown lab named Sisi
the weeks in between holidays and birth-
Ohio, Grandma lived across the field and (which means “little sister” in the Xhosa
days.
her aunt was a few houses down. Summer language of South Africa) is another source
After raising two children, five step-
included a trip to the family’s lake house of joy for Jennifer and Daniel. Once again,
children, and numerous pets, Bonnie has
in Michigan. But Jennifer dreamed of the the presence of a pet adds a loving dimen-
become comfortable living completely on
world beyond and longed to connect with sion.
her own. But five years ago, some friends
the colors, people, and beauty of other The newest piece in Jennifer’s multi-
decided Bonnie needed a roommate. Rose,
Bonnie Primm finds happiness by creating
countries and cultures. faceted life is a passion for surfing, born
a precious grey and white cat with a fluffy beauty. (Courtesy photo)
Today, Dr. Jennifer Fish, 42, is the head of her love of swimming. On one of her
mane and a groomed body, is Bonnie’s fe-
of Old Dominion University’s Women’s last trips to South Africa, Jennifer took
line companion in her Ghent apartment. or having a fancy title. Many of her friends
Studies Department, where she inspires lessons from one of the country’s most
“And the longer I’m here, the more I have material success, she says, yet expe-
her students to be open to new possibilities. accomplished female surfers, who sold
know what ‘here’ is. I think happiness has rience deep losses and lack of self-worth.
Beyond the courses she teaches at ODU, Jennifer one of her boards. This winter, Jen-
got to be where you are at the time,” she “What’s that line? ‘Happiness can’t
Jennifer takes students on service learning nifer does weekly conditioning workouts,
says. be found; happiness IS,’” she affirms.
journeys to South Africa every summer, preparing for warmer weather and the day
Bonnie’s open heartedness and her Michele, Jennifer, and Bonnie never
where they encounter lush beauty and stark she can get back into the ocean.
sense of joy draw people to her who are mentioned money, job, or status as the
poverty as they learn to hone their own A happy life like Jennifer’s rises out of
happy and who support each other. ultimate keys to happiness. Yet, they of-
skills. being in touch with the truth of her own self
“And that produces even more happi- fered a few secrets: caring for their bodies
“There is an honor in taking them to a and having the courage to follow through
ness,” she says, grinning. and spirits, creating a harmonious home,
place full of contrasts, and hopefully there is with action. As she learns, she teaches other
During the downturn in the economy, maintaining healthy relationships with
a way for them to embrace it,” she says. women how to celebrate their own gifts.
Bonnie has experienced business chal- people and animals, responding to life af-
“It’s the greatest gift to experience this
lenges. Still, she graciously accepts that firmatively, and choosing carefully what
with them,” Jennifer reflects. “There is the CREATING BEAUTY
these changes offer opportunities. to value.
joy of opening their world—and it’s so af- At another stage of life, happiness is a di-
“I am just coming back to me again. “In the end, it’s all about our choices,”
firming for me, a widening and expansion gest of the experiences and choices we’ve
The world was shifting,” she says. “I agreed Bonnie suggests. “Have I done the right
of what my own life has been about.” made, according to Bonnie Primm, 66.
to be a part of this stuff, and then we just thing for the right reason for the long term?”
Jennifer’s own happiness grew from Bonnie is one of Tidewater’s pre-eminent
have to lay low sometimes, lay low and A question for all of us to ponder…. ■
the inner nudge to travel. Fifteen years ago, Feng Shui consultants, a teacher, a regional
come back. Just like in nature. This is part
she was working as an international student sales manager for Arbonne, and a former
of the teaching of Feng Shui.” Kathleen Fogarty is a regular contributor
advisor at a small college in southern Indi- advertising professional. Most people
From Bonnie’s vantage point, happi- to Tidewater Women. She lives on a farm in
ana. Somewhere inside her, South Africa who know Bonnie describe her as classy,
ness can’t be assured by living in a big house Virginia Beach with her husband, John.
was calling. She responded. beautiful, friendly, creative, and dressed
“And so I said, the time is now, and I for success. ❦ ❦ ❦ ❦ ❦ ❦ ❦ ❦ ❦ ❦ ❦ ❦ ❦ ❦ ❦ ❦ ❦ ❦
dropped my job, I packed my duffel bags,” “I will always be what you see, but
she recalls. “I wrote to every university and underneath all that, I’m becoming more
New Year! New Attitude! New You!
said I want to come and help.” of me, more of Bonnie,” she says. We’re
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she followed her heart and flew to Seattle friend, Bonnie reflects on happiness and
for the NEW YOU!
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“Daniel was the first person to look at “There’s an assumption that if some-
• Ultrasound Treatments for cellulite skin rejuvenation, rosacea, brown spots
every one of my photos of South Africa!” one’s life looks easy, it is easy. In fact,
• Body Wraps for inch loss and cellulite • Microdermabrasion - for acne scarring,
she says with delight. They have been nobody has an easy life. But if you live
reduction age spots, superficial wrinkles & fine lines
married since 1998. long enough, you do find there is a soul
• Botox & Juvaderm Injections • Massage & Reflexology - Deep Tissue,
“Yes, it [marriage] is a source of hap- purpose. That’s what we’re really here for,”
• IPL Hair Removal for all skin types Swedish, Hot Stone, and Prenatal
piness.” Jennifer says. “Like no one else, she says.
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Daniel has taught me about finding joy in Bonnie knows that women spend most
cleaning • Eyelash/Eyebrow Tinting
• Chemical Peels - hyperpigmentation, • Permanent Make-up (eyebrows,
being, in this, in moments; it doesn’t have of their lives invested in relationships.
acne, rosacea, brown spots eyeliner, lips)
to come from a grand scheme or plan.” According to experts, having meaningful
• Eyelash Extensions
Jennifer’s happiness also comes connections is one of the most significant
through sharing simple moments, some- factors in maintaining a happy life.
961-0505
thing the Dutch call gezelligheid: the cozi- “Women are always searching for ac- 4867 Baxter Rd. #110
ness and natural joy of the everyday, like ceptance. That’s what we do as little girls,” Virginia Beach
stopping on a bike ride to watch the sun set Bonnie says. “And part of us is always there
Call for Valentine’s Specials
near a beautiful pond in Vietnam. Jennifer to serve. We are the keepers of culture, and
expresses her love of beauty through pho- we make things nice.”
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tography and painting, recalling memories For the past 22 years, as a single
All Services medically supervised by Kamal Louka, MD, Medical Director
TIDEWATER WOMEN 9
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