In the heart of Hastings, Minnesota, the first annual Hastings Senior Expo unfolded on May 17th, celebrating the spirit and resilience of the senior community. Among the various attendees, one figure stood out - Diane Davies, a retired schoolteacher turned children's author, who was there not just to share her stories but to listen and learn from others' as well.

Davies, a local author, illuminated the room with her radiant smile and boundless energy. She turned to writing in 2004 during her own battle with breast cancer, a journey that has since inspired her to pen numerous books on the subject. While her initial writings were directly about her cancer journey, her repertoire expanded in 2015 to include children's literature, bringing valuable lessons of hope, strength, and love to younger generations.

Her offerings at the expo included a bilingual book about a little girl and her grandmother navigating a breast cancer diagnosis together. The book serves as a testament to the enduring power of love and the strength derived from shared experiences. It is a story that resonates across generations, from seniors to young children.

Davies' participation in the Hastings Senior Expo was more than just a book promotion; it was a celebration of community. This vibrant gathering offered her a unique opportunity to converse with locals about her books, and more importantly, about life's challenges and triumphs. Davies found joy in the simple act of human connection, exchanging stories, and seeing the smiles on people's faces when they received a book from her.

She welcomed support from the community, not in the form of charitable donations or volunteering, but through the simple act of reading. She encouraged everyone - seniors, juniors, and 'littles' alike - to engage with her books, to share them, and to find joy and learning in their pages.

The Hastings Senior Expo was a testament to the power of community and the human spirit. For Davies, it was a fruitful evening, punctuated by the heartfelt response from a senior attendee: "God bless you. God bless you for doing this. I can't wait to get home to read it."

Davies' message to the Hastings community was simple and profound: "Read and then read some more." After the recent passing of her husband, Davies found solace in the immersive world of books, finding them a wonderful pastime, a method of learning, and a means to travel through the magic of stories.

Diane Davies, a beacon of resilience, creativity, and community spirit, continues to inspire and uplift the Hastings community. Visit her website at DianeDavies.com to learn more about her works, and perhaps, find a book that resonates with your own journey.