Michele Howe of Monroe County on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Michele Howe shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Michele, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I was with all three of my grandsons (ages 10 -15) and we spending the day together. At every stop we made, one of my grandsons made sure to get ahead of me and open my door. When we were in a crowded store aisle, they made sure to make room for me. Once back home, they helped me carry in the bags and then asked me if I needed any help in the kitchen. All throughout the day, they thanked me for having them over, for dinner, etc…

After they left, I contemplated how courteous and grateful they had been all day and I told my daughter how proud I was of her and my son in law as their parents. She laughed! Then remarked, “Well, they better be polite and thankful!” We both chuckled but later I realized what a gift tough love parenting can be not to one’s own family but to society in general. These boys are learning to be other-oriented and to put others’ comfort and well-being before their own. It is priceless!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a lifelong Michigan resident and have lived in Monroe County for my entire life. My husband and I have four adult and children and seven grandchildren. I have been a freelance writer, reviewer, and columnist for the past 40 years and have published over 3000 articles/reviews/curricula. I’m also the author of 30 books for women, children, and families. I have written on parenting, care-giving, friendship, aging well, and faith devotionals for adults and children. My newest book, Fight for Joy – Discovering Peace in Impossible Circumstances, is releasing early November 2025. Read more about my writing ministry at www.michelehowe.wordpress.com.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
There are many issues which can break a bond between people but one of the most common and powerful is a lack of forgiveness. I believe we are all humans who err in our relationships either intentionally or unconsciously. When we realize we have hurt another person, our goal should be reconciliation. Some might call this process…peacemaking…but it’s often a misunderstood term.

Those who seek peace must be willing to have the hard conversations with others and that involves risk and possible rejection. When we are in a relationship (personal and professional) we must have healthy boundaries and within those boundaries there must be mutual respect, productive listening, and mutual support.

When something goes wrong and the bond has been broken then the peacemaking skills come into play. We must be willing to ask for forgiveness citing where we were wrong and be specific. Then we ask the person we offended to forgive us…we need this exchange to move ahead and reconcile. It is the only way to truly re-forge a solid bond with another after that bond has been damaged or broken. Seek peace. Seek forgiveness. And…grant forgiveness freely when you are on the receiving end of a broken bond.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that has held me captive for much of my life is the fear of not being in control. Like so many others, I sought control in every area of my life. Relationships. Jobs. Health. Finances. When I was young, I always had an escape plan formulating in my mind. I would enter a hard situation with a plan, a, b, c, d…etc… While this sounds like a great way to handle inner worry and anxiety…it only fueled it. As I grew older, I realized how little control I have over anything.

What to do? I finally placed my faith and hope in God trusting Him to protect and care for me. As a Christian, I know what the Bible says about fear and anxiety. It tells us to get to know God intimately and to study His character which then brings peace and inner-calm because God promises to never leave or forsake me. It also says that God has promised to meet my every need…not my every want…but my every need.

Yes, I still battle against fear on some days. But I’ve learned to reframe the hard and scary stuff of life and take all my worries to God and leave them with Him…He is the only One who is truly in control over all things.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
The people I admire the most are those who love and serve others without caring about being thanked or acknowledged for the good they do. I am a people watcher as most writers are and I’m always aware of those around me. When I see a small kindness or a gentle gesture it doesn’t go unnoticed. I am shored up within every time I witness someone placing another’s well-being above their own. It does my heart good! And perhaps, more importantly, it strengthens my resolve to follow their lead in my own life. We truly do learn from observing others.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
When I was busy writing and reviewing and editing, there were seasons when I was getting more work than I could handle but I kept on pressing through tight deadlines for the money alone. I was already so busy with my family and other local responsibilities but I forged ahead taking on too much for too long. Then it finally came to a head and looked back and realized I was starting to hate writing and reviewing. Slowly, I pulled back and began saying no more often and the joy I felt when working came alive again. I realized then that no matter how much I may love something…balance is always key. Too much of anything…is simply too much and it robs us of other equally valuable elements in our lives.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
ClC Publications…all book photos.

AliAnne Photography…author pic

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