VIEW FROM THE SENIOR PENTHOUSE
Sunny, fortyish Friday that somehow
feels like Saturday! New “Trial”
resident next door to me, whom I will “orientate” later today. Funny, here’s me showing someone else around
like I know the place. But then, I DO
know most of “the place”.
I’m starting my third month here at
an independent living facility in the northwest area of Chicago near O’Hare
Airport. From my sweet efficiency apartment on the sixth floor, I can see all
the planes leaving and arriving, the many spectacular sunsets, the now winter-bare
trees decorating this sixteen acres, the walkways with their accommodating
benches scattered throughout, the sweet grotto (this was founded by a religious
order). There is greenery from every window throughout the four buildings, a
plus which I wanted when I moved here on Oct. 1st.
I had been a renter for years, so I
did not have an excess of money to initially invest in such a facility, and a
monthly fixed income that was definitely not lavish. I felt so blessed that I
could find an affordable place to live, with a lovely apartment, one main (and
delicious) meal per day, security, activities, medical accessibility (a major
hospital mere minutes away). I researched this past summer, saw it, loved it,
and moved in within a few whirlwind months. The apartment I chose was
beautifully upgraded with the loveliest kitchen that I would rarely use!
I’ve not walked around the grounds,
or attended Chapel services, but I’ve dipped my toe into several activities and
have been in most of the main meeting rooms and venues. Somewhere around my
third week, things began to “click”. It
was the day of the Book Club, when I went with Carol to the Menu Planning
meeting and met Gina Woods.
That was October 21st,
three weeks exactly from my move-in date of October 1st, when I met Gina,
exchanged phone numbers, and talked about Canasta. One evening later, when I took Rita (a new resident on our floor) down to
supper, Doris seated us with Gina and Ginny---and the rest, as they say, is
history. I began eating with the
Building A Gang, have played Canasta with them, attended Town Hall meetings and
many musical events with them.
We bring wine and small snacks to
these musical events, and sit on the right side of the Blue Room to enjoy the
shows. I’ve enjoyed the classical events
much more than the Irish music show. The
Magician was also fun. Gina seems to
want me to attend all the shows with equal enthusiasm, which of course makes me
want to react in a contrarily. (I’m funny that way!)
I’m much more comfortable with my
Floor Rep position now. It began when
Rita reached out to me, needing help.
Since then, I’ve been to one Floor Rep meeting, have decorated our
“Living Room” center area, put out a Suggestion Box, and am planning a small
Holiday meeting. I asked for my
residents to vote on available days of the week for them.
From the four votes I received (out
of nine residents), and including my preference, I’m choosing Wednesday
December 15th at 11:00 am for our first “Monthly Meet”. I will propose to them at this Holiday time
meet that we choose the second or third Wednesday of the month to keep
repeating a get-together. We can honor
any birthdays that month when we congregate.
I haven’t worked out any agenda or
activity for this first meeting. No
refreshments other than bringing their own beverage, and a snack if they wish.
(Maybe I should bring something—Popcorn???),
Peace SEEMS to be again restored on the lovely sixth floor of Building D.
