Imagine the most beautiful Hawaiian vacation…and on that vacation, the most beautiful day. A day of sunshine, sparkling water, the wispy clouds that are usually lacing the mountains and islands together far enough up so that a helicopter can fly right through those islands to give a truly birds’-eye view. Those days are special and rare. And Cindy Koehler “enjoyed” such a day on a wonderful trip to HI—but she, too, mostly has to imagine. Because Cindy is relentless in her devotion to helping others, relentless in her love of family…but not fearless. Cindy, it turns out, is terrified of helicopters. Thus, spent this entire perfect ride…with her eyes shut!

But Cindy has wide eyes and a wider heart as she approaches her life, her community, and her place. She is a Client Service Associate for HTWASL, and loves every second she gets to spend talking to people and talking to families about their plans and their dreams. Her early childhood career path dreams—hairdresser, with many styles practiced tirelessly on her squad of dolls, and then teacher, with many lesson plans delivered to that same squad—evolved as she realized she loved both numbers and conversations with people (who are chattier than dolls) and she loves everything that she gets to do these days.

And she does a LOT. Cindy volunteers for the food bank; she volunteers at a children’s home, giving opportunities to those in foster care. She gives back through her church. She is a helper, and that shines through; her dream for retirement is simply to have more time to help. More time to connect with the friends and colleagues that she misses. More time with her three St. Louis-based children and grandbabies. Well-th to Cindy is that special time.

She’s seen that perfect helicopter ride via video, and she laughs along as her family teases her—and she’s smiling inside knowing that she’s got a pretty perfect view of daily life—happy and content with all she has been given and gathered.