By Terra Avilla
Welcome back folks to the little corner of my world where I get to gush about the people, experiences, and, well, places that make life a bit brighter.
This week, I’m absolutely excited to introduce you to, or perhaps celebrate with you, the one and only – Grace Appel.
My journey with Grace began, as many of the best connections do, in a slightly unexpected place – our women’s jiu-jitsu class.
Let me tell you, Grace isn’t just any student- she’ll proudly (and rightly!) inform you that she was one of the very first students to brave the mats in that class. There’s a certain pioneering spirit to that, isn’t there?
Week after week, as we drilled techniques, sparred (sometimes gracefully, sometimes less s…) a friendship began to blossom. Jiu-jitsu has a funny way of stripping away pretenses.
When you’re tangled up trying to remember a new move, or celebrating a small victory, bonds form quickly and genuinely. Grace, with her steady presence and encouraging words, quickly became a fixture, someone I looked forward to seeing not just as a training partner, but as a friend, and if you ask any of the other girls in that class, they will tell you Grace was ALWAYS welcoming.
As classes passed and conversations flowed, I started to learn more about the layers that make up the sweet, formidable Grace. And let me tell you, there’s a lot to admire.
First and foremost, Grace is an excellent mom. You can see it in the way she talks about her son, the pride in her voice, and just watching them together. It’s clear that her family is her heart. Complementing this, she deeply loves her husband. Seriously how she speaks about Aaron should be a goal for every marriage.
But, beyond her family, Grace truly pours her heart into her profession. She loves her job as an Occupational Therapist at Lassen Nurse and Rehab. Hearing her talk about her work, you immediately sense her compassion. She’s not just going through the motions – she’s clearly invested in helping people improve their quality of life.
Honestly, I often think about how incredibly lucky our community is to have someone with her skill and empathy in such a crucial role. We truly are fortunate to have her.
Now, if you ask me what the main thing I love about Grace is, it’s got to be her humor. She is, in the best possible way, what I would consider a “chill girl.” Her wit is sharp and delightful, but never overwhelming. She can make you laugh yet she does it with an easy-going charm.
Oh, and did I mention Grace is a culinary wizard in disguise? Specifically, she makes some dang good lemon bars. I’m not exaggerating here. These aren’t just any lemon bars–these are the kind of lemon bars that legends are made of.
I experienced their magic firsthand at an Easter BBQ. Grace, ever so casually, brought a batch. What ensued was nothing short of a delicious battle. My family and the entire baseball team (yes, the whole team) were practically fighting over them.
People like Grace are the backbone of any great community, and we are lucky to have her here. She is one of the reasons I love where we live.
