Author Mary Jo Bell
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This too, shall pass

May 9, 2024

One year ago, tomorrow, I underwent full sternotomy open heart surgery for a genetically compromised heart valve. It was all the awful you would guess that it was. 

My beloved husband Tom took me to an Asian restaurant in the weeks before the surgery. He was trying to cheer me up during medical testing procedures. The weight of what was looming hung in the air. More on this here: https://maryjobell.com/blog/lights-in-the-tunnel

Service is the Only Safe Addiction

February 21, 2024
“As we lose ourselves in the service of others, we discover our own lives and our own happiness.” -Dieter F. Uctdorf

I was 16, standing in my high school cafeteria when a light bulb went on. Fellow students were chatting, eating lunch, intermingling, and bustling about. I knew a lot of these people…some fairly well, some hardly at all. I had been quietly observing them. When you are an ambivert and it’s “shy season” this comes naturally.

 In my juvenile, apprentice-in-the-art-of-caring way, I cared about these people.

I knew that some were already struggling with addictions, eating disorders, and crises of self-esteem. I knew others who seemed especially susceptible to these things. I knew addictions, disorders, and crises of self-esteem were all connected.

Can I Take it Home, Nana?

November 28, 2023

What is it about precious, innocent children that make you want to sing Christmas songs of joy? They just bring out the giggles and wonder in me. I know, I know sometimes they are impossible. But often there is humor in those scenarios. And when there isn’t, there are opportunities to grow in patience and extra love. I feel like there is no big downside to children. It’s like having messy angels in your life, right?! :D

Recently, one of these grandchildren popped over. This wasn’t hard. Ten of the eleven of them live close by, and five are in our neighborhood. We are a metaphorical hotel lobby and these “guests” (kids and grandkids) are checking in and out of our living, family rooms, and kitchen on the near daily.

We like to read books together, and on this day, this litt

My Valentine mom was not Snow White…but she could have played her on NetFlix, if NetFlix had been invented in the 1930’s.

January 31, 2023


If the heart of the home is the mom, my siblings and I can never complain about Valentine’s Day (at least about non-romantic applications).  We received an enormous, forever heart of love when we were brought into the snuggly baby embraces of our mutual mom, Mary Elizabeth Gannon Schuette. 

She wasn’t Snow White, but she did resemble her, not only physically (above) but in cheerfulness, patience, and long-suffering. She had some definite suffering to deal with, including growing up with a severely disabled brother named Frank. Frank wasn’t able to talk, but he was a constant presence of love. She once shared with me that she would pray at night that Frank would be able to talk. Now she is in heaven, and Frank is still on earth, for a bit longer. How awesome will i

TV/Media

Connect with grandkids by telling them your stories! Here are 6 they need to hear

Photo of Woman Showing Her Cellphone to Her Grandmother

Telling stories from your own life is a great way to connect with grandkids.

The holidays can be a great time for Grandma to really connect with grandkids. One way to do that is by letting them connect with you.

Mary Jo Bell encourages nanas to bond with the kids through stories. She shares the six stories your grandkids need to hear from your own life.

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Holiday Hospitality: 2 ways grandmas can make the season magical

Grandmother and Grandfather Holding Child on Their Lap

Make the season special for the grandkids with a little holiday hospitality.

At your family’s holiday parties this year, be the welcoming nana, the generous nana, and the warm nana. To sum it up, simply be the hospitable nana. It will be the thing to make your holiday party not just memorable, but magical.

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Have deeper conversations with the grandkids! Here are 3 ways to connect with them

Women's White Dress Shirt

December 9, 2022

Turn surface-level grandkid chats into deeper conversations.

Take advantage of the extra time you may get to spend with your grandkids this Christmas with deeper conversations.

Our leading voice in the Nanahood series, Mary Jo Bell, shares how.

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Nanas are needed! 4 reasons grandkids need you now more than ever

September 20, 2022 2 min read

Nanas are needed by their families.

With our Nanahood series in motion, it’s time we introduce our leading voice.

Mary Jo Bell is an author and speaker in pursuit of filling homes with more love and more laughter. She’s a nana to nine and passionate about that role. She will be joining us monthly to help you find your nana spirit and strength because she believes nanas are needed now more than ever.

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Now is the best time to be a grandma! Here are 3 ways to make the most of nanahood

September 1, 2021 1 min read

Be a grandma in the best way!

There’s motherhood, there’s fatherhood, and now there’s a new term we are loving – nanahood! Being a grandma can be more than just play time and endless treats. Make time spent with the grandchildren meaningful and something they will remember throughout their life.

Mary Bell shares three ways she makes nanahood special for her grandkids. Women are living thirty years longer than a century ago, and that gives grandmas greater opportunities to be influential in their grandchildren’s lives.

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No toys from grandma? Here are 5 ways to gift an experience instead of things

What if grandma gave no toys this Christmas?

We know toys are the big ticket items with kids at Christmas. But as a grandma, what if you took a different approach? Spending time with your grandkids will give them emotional oxygen that will outlast any toy.

Mary Bell shares what emotional oxygen is. She gives five ideas for giving grandkids an experience with their grandparents, whether you live close to them or not. One is a gift in disguise for your daughter or daughter-in-law! While you spend time with the kids, mom can get things done.

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Bonding With Grandchildren: These 5 things will help you grow this important relationship

Photo of Woman Embracing Her Grandmother

June 23, 2022 4 min read

Bonding with grandchildren can be done with these five specific things.

Anyone can have a relationship – but not every relationship takes hold of your heart.

Author and speaker Mary Jo Bell believes there is one relationship that should. She is on a quest to strengthen the grandparent connection, and has observed five specific things grandparents can do to become genuinely close with their grandkids.

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