Retirement Living

Dear Loved Ones,

Christmas seems to be saying, "Here I come, ready or not!" Creekside Terrace is resplendent with wreaths, garlands, lights, and a tall tree in the atrium. A Nativity scene, made by a resident, rests on a table in the dining room. Christmas music plays in the halls .

I pause to reflect on all the joy the past year has given me. Many new friends, new experiences, a new way of life. Losses, too - my brother M---- last January, the first of the children of my parents to go. But the good memories come, eventually, to replace the sad ones. I have made so many new friends. Dear old friends have kept in touch, by phone, letters, and visits. Friends and relatives have come to eat meals with me. I enjoy sharing my home, and all of you are invited to come.

I have learned so much. I have learned to play new versions of Dominoes and Scrabble. I have learned about the Moravians, the founders, over 200 years ago, of Salem, which became Winston-Salem. They gave us Moravian cookies, Moravian stars, Moravian pottery and woodcrafts. The Creekside bus took us on a tour of Old Bethabara, the first Moravian settlement in the area.

We celebrated the Beijing Olympic Games by holding our own little Olympics, in competition with another "facility", Cedar Ridge near Burlington, NC. Events included watermelon eating, seed spitting, cow chip throwing, ring toss, sack, three-legged, and wheelchair racing, and a cooking contest between our chef and theirs. Then our bus took us to Cedar Ridge to compete with them. Our wonderful activities director, a physical education teacher, holds daily exercise classes, and I rarely miss that opportunity. Once a month, a group goes on the bus to deliver "Meals on Wheels" to shut-ins. We have fun on the bus and enjoy the morning.

I have read many good books. Two of them are historical novels written by the daughter of a resident here. They are William Henry Is a Fine Name and I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires, by Cathy Gohlke, an award-winning writer. She will be here next Saturday to autograph books and speak to us. We have had many good speakers on topics of interest to seniors, such as elder law, senior services, and health topics. I see so many incidents of kindness, caring, and love between residents and on the part of staff members here.

My greatest joy is sharing in the lives of [my son] T---- and D---- and my little granddaughter, S----. She is in preschool now, and I am able to relive part of my life by sharing in her activities. I attended the Thanksgiving "feast" at her school, with all the little Pilgrims and Indians. Thanksgiving dinner at T---- and D----'s was a joy, also.

I have learned to "live, love, laugh, and be happy" again. I heartily wish the same for all of you!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[Written and contributed by Leona Brown of North Carolina.]