Debra Hester

This Memorial Day weekend, I’m sharing "Just Fly" — A Memorial Reflection, Episode #21 of Break the Silent Struggle With Grief, Loss and Healing in My Backyard Garden. A tribute to memory, mentorship, love, and the lasting impact of those we carry with us. Sometimes, “Just Fly” means allowing memory and legacy to lift us. 🎙️ Now on YouTube: zurl.co/bBN4E #MemorialDay #JustFly #EmpathyForGrief #MyBackyardGardenBooks

Monday Mindset Moment: “Press Autopilot for Routine. Press Mindfulness for Peace.” This week, slow down long enough to notice your life. What feels like disruption may actually be direction. What will you be mindful of this week? 🎧 Podcast Episode #20: “Turbulence: From Disruption to Direction” now streaming at zurl.co/1nWj9 #MondayMindsetMoment #Mindfulness #EmpathyForGrief #HealingJourney #Podcast #MentalWellness #ChoosePeace #UAPB #OKStateAlumni @ArkansasState @okstate

🌿 Feel Good Friday Even in life’s turbulence… there are still moments of light. 🎧 Today’s new podcast episode reflects on how turbulence can gently guide us back to direction and purpose. #empathyforgrief - Break the Silent Struggle With Grief Episode 20: 🌿 Turbulence: From Disruption to Direction Listen today, Spotify: zurl.co/M2dLQ YouTube: zurl.co/0y7Xw

🌿 Reflection Moment: What has your turbulence been trying to show you? Sometimes the moments that interrupt us… are the very moments meant to redirect us. 🎧 Episode 20 arrives tomorrow, part of Feel Good Friday. #empathyforgrief: Break the Silent Struggle with Grief Podcast Video version: zurl.co/OqMn8 ✨ Have you ever experienced a life “reset” moment? YES / STILL PROCESSING #Reflection #BreakTheSilentStruggle #HealingJourney #EmpathyForGrief

Sometimes disruption arrives quietly… A moment. A memory. A shift you didn’t expect. But what if turbulence is not only disruption… ✨ what if it’s direction? 🎧 Episode 20 arrives this week on Feel Good Friday. #empathyforgrief: Break the Silent Struggle with Grief on most podcast providers Video version: zurl.co/2QOAb #BreakTheSilentStruggle #HealingJourney #EmpathyForGrief

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! And best wishes to all who, like me, are continuing their academic journey and are grateful to complete one more year towards the goal. Stay Encouraged! TendYourGarden 🌿 #MondayMindsetMoments #MyBackyardGarden #EmpathyForGrief #MoveForwardWithGrace #AtYourPace #HealingJourney #InnerStrength #SmallStepsBigChange #MindsetShift #SelfGrowthJourney #PersonalGrowth #IntentionalLiving #GrowthMindset #BeGenuine #Classof2026 #Graduates #HigherEd

Three reasons to dance today 💃🏾 It’s Friday. It’s Friday. It’s F-R-I-D-A-Y! 😄✨ Let it go & let it glow. 🌿 #FeelGoodFriday #FridayVibes #ChooseJoy #WeekendMood

May the 4th be with you… and the strength within you guide your way.” #InnerStrength #MindsetShift #GrowthMindset #BeGenuine

Happy Feel Good Friday! Today, release the pressure, trust your journey, and move into the weekend with peace. 🌿”

Monday Mindset Moments ✨ 3 Small Steps for Big Change: Replace one unhealthy habit Learn something new Practice gratitude Small steps. Real progress. 🌱 #MondayMindsetMoments #MoveForwardWithGrace #Gratitude #MindsetShift

UAPB Chancellor Anthony Graham announced today that a $100,000 challenge gift from Perry and Vivian Stuckey has prompted an outpouring of more than $260,000 in gifts from friends and alumni during the early days of the 2026 Founders Week Celebration. Perry Stuckey, a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), established the Perry and Vivian Stuckey Fund for Academic Excellence to help reduce debt for academically talented students—and to inspire others to give. That momentum continues to grow. The Trinity Foundation contributed $150,000 to support education initiatives, including the M4 Band and Jazz Ensemble—strengthening opportunities for music students and enhancing the Marching Band program.  Founded in 1952, the Trinity Foundation has a long history of supporting education and community initiatives across Arkansas. The foundation is primarily supported by McGeorge Contracting Co., Inc., and Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel Company, both headquartered in Central Arkansas. Now it’s your turn. Join the Stuckey Educational Challenge and make your impact by Sunday, April 26. Give now: UAPB.EDU/GIVE Text UAPB19 to 41444 Scan the QR code to donate instantly Every gift supports UAPB students and helps move them closer to graduation—with less debt.

🌿 I’m joining the Baobab Book Club on April 26! I’ll be sharing 💛 Silent Day, Flower Day—a children’s story for grief, loss, healing & love 🕑 2PM CST | Virtual Let’s read, reflect, and grow together 🔗 zurl.co/zig0V (Adults, children, families are invited to attend) #ChildrensBooks #GriefSupport #Literacy

I had the opportunity to share an evening of poetry, reflection, and visual storytelling through my VISPo (Visual Poetry) experience at Indigo Blue Coffeehouse —bringing together voice, imagery, and emotion in a way that invites us to pause… and feel. 🌿 This experience features poetry from one of my Backyard Garden Books: My Backyard Garden, Sage Can Never Age, a collection featuring over 50 spirit-filled poems, rhymes, and visuals aimed at providing reflection and healing I invite you to watch this special recording. A special thank you to K&C Media for recording and producing the video. 🎥 Watch now on YouTube: zurl.co/pfaPT 📚 And if the words speak to you… continue the journey with Sage Can Never Age, available at: zurl.co/Boz3g 🌿 Healing doesn’t always happen in silence… sometimes it happens through expression. ✨ Pause. Reflect. Begin Again. 🌿 If this message meets you where you are… follow and subscribe to My Backyard Garden or Mother's Backyard for weekly moments of healing and reflection. #mybackyardgarden #empathyforgrief #PineBluff #Wednesday #healingjourney #DebraHester #VISPo #VisualPoetry #SageCanNeverAge #MyBackyardGarden #PoetryHealing #GriefHealing #SpokenWord #EmpathyForGrief @IndigoBlue212

This week… release the pressure... You don’t have to rush your healing. You don’t have to have all the answers. 🌿 Instead, choose: Energy at your pace Dreams that excite you Miracles that are all around you Because moving forward doesn’t always look like big steps… sometimes it looks like simply allowing yourself to be. 🎧 Listen to Break the Silent Struggle With Grief and Loss and take a moment for yourself today at zurl.co/k6ZYa or your favorite podcast provider. ✨ Move forward… with grace. #MondayMindsetMoments #MyBackyardGarden #HealingJourney #EmpathyForGrief #MoveWithGrace ##MindsetShift #healing #PineBluf #Arkansas #goodmorning #MondayMindsetMoments #MyBackyardGarden #HealingJourney #FromDisruptionToDirection #EmpathyForGrief

A beautiful Monday starts with a beautiful mindset. ✨ Yes, it’s Monday… Move forward with grace—at your pace. 🌱 #MondayMindsetMoments #MoveForwardWithGrace #AtYourPace #BeautifulMindset #HealingJourney

🌿 Weekend Reflection What are you holding today? (pause) You don’t have to solve it… just notice it. Write, sit with it, or return when you’re ready. Your healing happens in your time. 💛 ✨ Download your My Backyard Garden Reflection Journal: zurl.co/CA5Na Free companion journal for Break the Silent Struggle With Grief Podcast #WeekendReflection #HealingJourney #PauseReflectBeginAgain #GriefSupport #MyBackyardGarden #EmpathyForGrief

Feel Good Friday 🌿 Start with sunshine, peace, connection & laughter… End with a full heart. 💛 What filled your heart today? 🌿 Need a space to reflect? Visit zurl.co/pCQ21 Tend your garden…with grace. #FeelGoodFriday #HealingTruths #GriefJourney #HealingInProgress #HealingJourney #GriefSupport #EmotionalHealing #PineBluffAR # Arkansas #PauseReflectBeginAgain #MyBackyardGarden #UAPB #EmpathyForGrief #DebraHester

WHY THIS MATTERS. Children need safe ways to process big emotions. Meet me at the Arkansas Authors’ Children’s Book Festival 💛 Featuring: My Backyard Garden, Silent Day, Flower Day 📅 April 18 | FREE University of Central Arkansas 🔗 zurl.co/chLwT #Parenting #Literacy #MentalHealth #UAPB #Grief #Healing #Empathy #Empathy #FlowersHeal

I had the opportunity to share an evening of poetry, reflection, and visual storytelling through my VISPo (Visual Poetry) experience at Indigo Blue Coffeehouse —bringing together voice, imagery, and emotion in a way that invites us to pause… and feel. 🌿 This experience features poetry from one of my Backyard Garden Books: My Backyard Garden, Sage Can Never Age, a collection featuring over 50 spirit-filled poems, rhymes, and visuals aimed at providing reflection and healing I invite you to watch this special recording. A special thank you to K&C Media for recording and producing the video. 🎥 Watch now on YouTube: zurl.co/pfaPT 📚 And if the words speak to you… continue the journey with Sage Can Never Age, available at: zurl.co/Boz3g 🌿 Healing doesn’t always happen in silence… sometimes it happens through expression. ✨ Pause. Reflect. Begin Again. 🌿 If this message meets you where you are… follow and subscribe to My Backyard Garden or Mother's Backyard for weekly moments of healing and reflection. #mybackyardgarden #empathyforgrief #PineBluff #Wednesday #healingjourney #DebraHester #VISPo #VisualPoetry #SageCanNeverAge #MyBackyardGarden #PoetryHealing #GriefHealing #SpokenWord #EmpathyForGrief @IndigoBlue212

This week… release the pressure... You don’t have to rush your healing. You don’t have to have all the answers. 🌿 Instead, choose: Energy at your pace Dreams that excite you Miracles that are all around you Because moving forward doesn’t always look like big steps… sometimes it looks like simply allowing yourself to be. 🎧 Listen to Break the Silent Struggle With Grief and Loss and take a moment for yourself today at zurl.co/k6ZYa or your favorite podcast provider. ✨ Move forward… with grace. #MondayMindsetMoments #MyBackyardGarden #HealingJourney #EmpathyForGrief #MoveWithGrace ##MindsetShift #healing #PineBluf #Arkansas #goodmorning #MondayMindsetMoments #MyBackyardGarden #HealingJourney #FromDisruptionToDirection #EmpathyForGrief