KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — March 26, 2026— For Monika Lumsdaine, wellness is not something you check off a list. It is something you live out each day.
At 87 years old, Lumsdaine, a resident at Morning Pointe of Knoxville Assisted Living, continues to show what it looks like to pursue a full and meaningful life, making her a natural reflection of Morning Pointe Senior Living’s monthly theme, A World of Wellness. Her days are shaped by movement, faith, creativity, and a steady desire to keep growing.
Since moving into the community on Feb. 14, 2023, Lumsdaine has made it a goal to stay active in every area of life. She is an avid walker who participates in daily walks and has long been a member of the community’s Walking Team. But for her, wellness goes far beyond physical activity.
She nurtures her spiritual life through daily Bible study and by helping organize a monthly Communion offering from her church. She also enjoys spending time outdoors, planning and designing the resident vegetable garden each spring and tending to it throughout the summer.
Creativity is another important part of her routine. Lumsdaine takes part in Art Club, enjoys painting independently, and loves working puzzles and joining group activities. A published author, she continues to invest time in writing and reflection, creating monthly slideshows to share with family and friends as a way to document and celebrate her life.
“Just think every day what are the blessings that God has in store for me and how can I use them?” said Lumsdaine.
That mindset has shaped a rich and purposeful life. A homemaker by role, she also designed a solar home for her family, co-authored a book with her husband, and remained deeply involved in church and women’s ministries over the years. Born and raised in Switzerland, she later came to the United States as a foreign exchange student. Her book, Chopsticks & Chocolate: A Love Story Bridging Time and Cultures, reflects her personal journey and the life she built with her husband, blending cultures and experiences.
For Lumsdaine, staying active is about continuing to challenge herself and embrace each day with intention.
“She brings such a genuine energy to our community,” said Kari Christopher, Life Enrichment Director at Morning Pointe of Knoxville. “Monika is a beautiful example of what it means to live well in every sense of the word. She stays engaged, encourages others, and reminds us all that wellness is about caring for your mind, body, and spirit in ways that are meaningful to you.”
Lumsdaine puts it simply: she does not want to get “stale.”
Her example is a reminder that wellness can take many forms. It can be found on a walking path, in a garden bed, in a paintbrush, in a page of writing, or in quiet moments of faith and gratitude. Through her daily habits and outlook, she reflects the heart of A World of Wellness, showing that purpose, growth, and joy can continue at every age.
About Morning Pointe Senior Living
Founded in 1997 by Greg A. Vital and Franklin Farrow, Morning Pointe Senior Living operates 42 assisted living and Alzheimer’s memory care communities across five southeastern states. In the Tennessee Valley, communities are located in Chattanooga, East Hamilton, Collegedale, Hixson, and Walker County, Georgia.
