Well, this is fun!
In last week’s edition, I mentioned that retirement homes are considered by many to be your last stop in life. People when you confess your new living arrangements look at you with barely concealed pity, mixed with slight shudders. Will they end up in the same sad “fate?”
Decisions, decisions...
For some reason it’s the same online. After last week’s blog I had many emails expressing shock at my decision to live in an independent living situation. Curiosity. Sadness. Bewilderment.
After all, some folks have known me and my writing for many years. I guess this new step in living is part of me confronting the fact that life changes happen.
Newsflash!
Changes come fast and furious as you age! So amazing. So much to deal with. Such different perspectives that occupy your mind, if it isn’t in the process of being clouded by dementia. No one really knows what’s happening to others at that point. After all, not all dementia symptoms are created equal. There aren’t any dementia folks at my facility. Remember, it’s independent living.
There’s lots to love about being in my new situation. I’ve not met one person who isn’t extremely grateful and proud to live here. Everyone lives here because of their life circumstances. Mostly it’s because of a bereavement in their lives that made them unable to continue living in their habitual ways. A few, like me, decide to jump in the deep end and learn to swim.
Carolyn: Artist, friend to many, 7-year resident
One such person here started as one of my table mates, and has become a much-admired friend. She is 94, an ex-teacher, who used to ride a horse to a rural school for her classes. Carolyn has a wicked sense of humour, a deep appreciation of life, and loves to incorporate swear words into her conversation, “for emphasis” as she says.
My friend, Carolyn, pictured in our diner/commercial kitchen area. The more formal dining room is one floor up.
She tried marriage once, as a very young girl. After ten years she decided it wasn’t for her, and divorced. After several more years she thought maybe it wasn’t as bad as she remembered and married again. It was. After another ten years she divorced.
Now she has macular degeneration and a hearing deficit. But she also has a passion for both music and art. Go into her suite, and you are assailed by her wonderful paintings and numerous artistic model ships made from found pieces of bark and twigs. She has all the drawings for a children’s book that she plans. She just has to tell me the story!
Some snippets from this great artist
Carolyn--the artist at work in her den
A small sample of her glorious art
A collage of multimedia pieces
This is the wonderful thing about living in a caring, loving independent living facility. The major rule here is that you should feel happy, enjoying each day as you choose. Kindness to others is a given.
Choose a home that’s well established and has staff who’ve been in it for a long time. Many of the staff have been here for 4-7 years, and even longer.
You have time to enjoy your hobbies or work. You just show up for meals, no dishes to wash, no planning. No building maintenance, no taxes. Just concern for you and pampering if you need it. Hugs are always encouraged.
This is your very own quasi Club Med.
Edible eye-candy
In keeping with her free spirit, this year Carolyn has carefully tended an extravagant mixture of pumpkins, squash, runner beans, sweet peas, trumpet vine and other assorted flowering plants. This is guaranteed to fill your heart with joy and wonder. If you’re a humming bird it is pure delight.
Thank you!
Your comments and questions on this post are always appreciated and add to interest! Many thanks for coming here. Want to be notified when I write a post? Hit Subscribe and you’ll go on my weekly mailing list. It’s free, and I’m not selling you anything!VickiW
