It's been said that everyone secretly wants to conduct a symphony orchestra. Well, maybe that's so, though it's a hope few of us will ever fulfill. But many of us may also harbor a related secret ambition: We want to be music reviewers. And this is an ambition that some of us can contrive to find ways to realize. Which is exactly what I now plan to do – in a kind of quirky way.
Last evening a large contingent of Kendal residents took the Kendal bus to the Midland Theater in Newark to attend a concert by the Newark-Granville Symphony Orchestra. The featured work was Sergei Rachmaninoff's third piano concerto, performed by Antonio Pompa-Baldi. On the bus ride home it was very clear that the general impression Mr. Pompa-Baldi had left with us was: WOW!
Despite its reputation as one of the most technically challenging works in the piano repertory, Rachmaninoff's third has been widely recorded and is therefore a reasonably well-known piece. It features Rachmaninoff's celebrated, heart-wrenching lyricism, and is studded with the kinds of sweeping melodic gestures that movie fans became accustomed to in films from the 1950s. (Though Hollywood's emulators never matched the master's sureness of effect.)
What attendance at a live concert allowed us to see and appreciate was the sheer physicality required of a performer of this work. It was not simply the fleetness of fingers that caught our eye, though several residents commented on the bus that it seemed impossible to have done what we had just witnessed with only ten of them. It was, rather, that facilitating that digital dexterity were two fast-flying arms – alternately pounding, stroking, and teasing the keyboard, and all the time leaping about from its uppermost to its nethermost reaches. I don't have the score before me, but I wouldn't be surprised if Rachmaninoff's dynamics ranged from ppp to fff. Certainly a perspiring Mr. Pompa-Baldi employed them all. It's no wonder that he used his periodic breaks to flex his hands and exercise his forearms. For when he was engaged with the keyboard, he was bombarding us with wonderful music. At the end of the evening Kendal residents joined all the others in attendance in standing to applaud a grand performance of one of the towering works of the Romantic period.
And I've now had fun pretending to be a music reviewer. But you don't have to warn me: I won't quit my daytime job.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Kendal at Granville Talent Review--September 10, 2013
Kendal at Granville residents enjoyed our first talent show. It was a huge success! It was an absolutely fun evening. In addition to residents, the staff and board of trustees were invited to participate. The display of talent was wide ranging. Being a fun group of folks anyway, there of course were some clever comedy routines. Several vocalists reminded us of their long careers in musical endeavors. That was particularly special to those of us who are new to the greater Granville area. A violin solo offered by one of the dining room staff was a delightful surprise and display of her talent that she shares with her violin students. The leadership team's skit highlighted the ongoing construction projects with great humor and fun props. The best prop of the night was the sidekick to one of the comedians. The topic was "Bill Grogan's Goat" and the goat made a calm appearance on our new Amelia Room stage. The evening was not a "dog and pony show" but an awesome representation of Kendal's talent.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Stories Told by Our Posters
The current exhibit in our Art Gallery, made up of posters loaned by our residents, tells stories about us. Our Gallery Committee, of which I am a member, arranges for a new show every two months. Earlier this year we invited residents to share posters they have in their homes with our community at large. We received responses from fifteen persons offering all together a total of 34 items. This in itself tells a story about the generosity of the people who live here at Kendal. Their willingness to share with each other has made possible three exhibits of fiber arts works created by members of our community, three exhibits of art created by Kendal residents, and an exhibit of photographs taken not only by residents but also by staff personnel. Each of these has brought a very positive reaction from viewers. Not only are the people who live and work here generous and willing to share what they have with others but they have revealed a variety of talents.
The items in this exhibit tell us of the diverse interests of those who live here as well as where they have traveled, what kind of art appeals to them, where they have lived before,
what their hobbies are, what they like to collect, and more as we talk with them about how they came to have a particular poster.
Some of the posters feature announcements of exhibits at well known art museums here in the United States and abroad such as the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and The Museum of Fine Art in Boston., They include work of famous artists such as Claude Monet's The Stroll, and Vincent van Gogh's Blossoming Almond Tree. Others are by relatively unknown local artists such as Vearl S. Wince right here in Granville . The techniques displayed range from traditional oils and water colors to more modern abstracts to Tseng-Ying Pang's wash art to a LanSat Image (Landscape Satellite) of the Agricultural Land Usage of the Chesapeake and Delaware Bay area. Together the story they tell us is of a population whose interests in art are rich and varied/
As you approach the Art Gallery on the left you will see a poster of Naples, Florida by Paul Arsnta ult. To its right is one by Ted Rhodes titled Country Road at the Bluffs located in California. Further along in the Gallery itself you will see a group of three posters made up of that LanSat Image of the Chesapeake and Delaware Bay, a print of Gary Niblett's gaucheros in Canyon Diablo located in California on either side of a poster of Red tulips by Mary Marks an artist who lives in Cincinnati. Incidentally since hanging the show we have learned that Mary Marks is the daughter of a good friend of one of our residents. The story told by these posters is that they carry the memories of the former homes of their owners. At the same time they tell us our residents have found there way here one way or another from opposite ends of our country as well as well as from throughout the heartland bringing with them their heritage from their past.
On the left inside the Art Gallery proper is a group of three posters each of which relates to travel. The first of these is s picture of the Silver Jubilee train, the first streamliner train in 1935 from London to the northeastern parts of England. Part of the story here is that the owner of this poster has a collection of trains. One of the others in this group transports us half way across the world with its poster from the Fine Art Series of the Alaska Airlines. The third poster in this group reminds us that all travel starts from home. It is Vearl S. Wince's A Personal View - featuring the local train station here in Newark which borders on Granville.So the story continues telling us how our interests which reach from sea to sea.
Sprinkled throughout the exhibit are five beautiful reproductions of paintings by different artists with a common interest - tulips. These come from the collection of posters by one of our residents who obviously loves the annual festival of tulips held in Holland, Michigan..
Actually each of the posters tells us something about the life of its owners, but there isn't room here for all of their stories. For me the common thread that runs through this show is the story of a diverse lively community of residents that make Kendal a pleasant place to spend this time in my life.
The items in this exhibit tell us of the diverse interests of those who live here as well as where they have traveled, what kind of art appeals to them, where they have lived before,
what their hobbies are, what they like to collect, and more as we talk with them about how they came to have a particular poster.
Some of the posters feature announcements of exhibits at well known art museums here in the United States and abroad such as the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and The Museum of Fine Art in Boston., They include work of famous artists such as Claude Monet's The Stroll, and Vincent van Gogh's Blossoming Almond Tree. Others are by relatively unknown local artists such as Vearl S. Wince right here in Granville . The techniques displayed range from traditional oils and water colors to more modern abstracts to Tseng-Ying Pang's wash art to a LanSat Image (Landscape Satellite) of the Agricultural Land Usage of the Chesapeake and Delaware Bay area. Together the story they tell us is of a population whose interests in art are rich and varied/
As you approach the Art Gallery on the left you will see a poster of Naples, Florida by Paul Arsnta ult. To its right is one by Ted Rhodes titled Country Road at the Bluffs located in California. Further along in the Gallery itself you will see a group of three posters made up of that LanSat Image of the Chesapeake and Delaware Bay, a print of Gary Niblett's gaucheros in Canyon Diablo located in California on either side of a poster of Red tulips by Mary Marks an artist who lives in Cincinnati. Incidentally since hanging the show we have learned that Mary Marks is the daughter of a good friend of one of our residents. The story told by these posters is that they carry the memories of the former homes of their owners. At the same time they tell us our residents have found there way here one way or another from opposite ends of our country as well as well as from throughout the heartland bringing with them their heritage from their past.
On the left inside the Art Gallery proper is a group of three posters each of which relates to travel. The first of these is s picture of the Silver Jubilee train, the first streamliner train in 1935 from London to the northeastern parts of England. Part of the story here is that the owner of this poster has a collection of trains. One of the others in this group transports us half way across the world with its poster from the Fine Art Series of the Alaska Airlines. The third poster in this group reminds us that all travel starts from home. It is Vearl S. Wince's A Personal View - featuring the local train station here in Newark which borders on Granville.So the story continues telling us how our interests which reach from sea to sea.
Sprinkled throughout the exhibit are five beautiful reproductions of paintings by different artists with a common interest - tulips. These come from the collection of posters by one of our residents who obviously loves the annual festival of tulips held in Holland, Michigan..
Actually each of the posters tells us something about the life of its owners, but there isn't room here for all of their stories. For me the common thread that runs through this show is the story of a diverse lively community of residents that make Kendal a pleasant place to spend this time in my life.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Saying "Goodbye" to Jim
At the last meeting of our Residents' Association we said "Goodbye" to Jim, our IT person who has been with Kendal at Granville beginning back in the days when it was being built. At first he was someone who seemed able to do many things well. It quickly became apparent he would be an asset and fortunately for all of us he agreed to take on the responsibility of an Information Tech. As each one of us has moved in he has helped us get our televisions set up and operating properly and if we had computers he has helped us with them as well. When we got new ones, he has provided guidance and assistance through all of the hazards associated with such an undertaking
I particularly got to know and work with Jim because not very long after I came here Jim brought together those of us who as computer users were interested in exploring ways we could help each other. One of the things that grew out of that was I took on the task of teaching a class for beginners. Jim helped me to use the computers available in our staff training room for our classes. At one point there were so many students that I had to divide them into two sections. Jim was always on hand when any problems occurred and lent his support to me when I had questions or needed advice.
It also became apparent that it would be helpful if we had available a dedicated computer work station which could be used for teaching one on one. In addition it would be a useful tool for the treasurer of the Association.
Fortunately two of our residents responded positively to my plea at one of our early Residents' Association meetings. They provided the funds for not only a computer but all of the accessories needed to set up a complete work station. Jim was of inestimable help in getting it all together and helping to keep it maintained.
In 2009 I had serious surgery to remove a large tumor from my chest and had to give up teaching the classes. However, upon recovery I was on call for help with the work station.
In his farewell words to us Jim said something which I think portrays a great deal about the atmosphere here at Kendal.
He spoke of the fact that he was here at a time in his life when individuals find themselves involved in looking out for and helping their parents. He said here at Kendal he has felt as if he had over one hundred fifty parents and in addition with the kind of staff that we have here he has had seventy some brothers and sisters.
Then at the official farewell party he added this comment about his experience here, "It's been the best job of my career." Jim thus confirmed Kendal's belief that a Kendal community should not only be a good place to live but also to work.
We are grateful that Jim has been with us meeting one challenge after another as we started and grew together through everything from the frustrations caused by cable companies and four day power failures to the humdrum constantly recurring problems presented by working in a field which changes faster that one can change ones clothes.
I might add that Jim is just one of many such dedicated staff members who helps to make our lives better on a daily basis.
I particularly got to know and work with Jim because not very long after I came here Jim brought together those of us who as computer users were interested in exploring ways we could help each other. One of the things that grew out of that was I took on the task of teaching a class for beginners. Jim helped me to use the computers available in our staff training room for our classes. At one point there were so many students that I had to divide them into two sections. Jim was always on hand when any problems occurred and lent his support to me when I had questions or needed advice.
It also became apparent that it would be helpful if we had available a dedicated computer work station which could be used for teaching one on one. In addition it would be a useful tool for the treasurer of the Association.
Fortunately two of our residents responded positively to my plea at one of our early Residents' Association meetings. They provided the funds for not only a computer but all of the accessories needed to set up a complete work station. Jim was of inestimable help in getting it all together and helping to keep it maintained.
In 2009 I had serious surgery to remove a large tumor from my chest and had to give up teaching the classes. However, upon recovery I was on call for help with the work station.
In his farewell words to us Jim said something which I think portrays a great deal about the atmosphere here at Kendal.
He spoke of the fact that he was here at a time in his life when individuals find themselves involved in looking out for and helping their parents. He said here at Kendal he has felt as if he had over one hundred fifty parents and in addition with the kind of staff that we have here he has had seventy some brothers and sisters.
Then at the official farewell party he added this comment about his experience here, "It's been the best job of my career." Jim thus confirmed Kendal's belief that a Kendal community should not only be a good place to live but also to work.
We are grateful that Jim has been with us meeting one challenge after another as we started and grew together through everything from the frustrations caused by cable companies and four day power failures to the humdrum constantly recurring problems presented by working in a field which changes faster that one can change ones clothes.
I might add that Jim is just one of many such dedicated staff members who helps to make our lives better on a daily basis.
Friday, August 2, 2013
The Amelia Gathering Room: Exploring New Opportunities
In June, when Kendal at Granville residents celebrated the end (well, almost the end) of the two-year Phase II construction project, we also dedicated our new assembly venue, the Amelia Gathering Room. The celebration and dedication were absolutely in order. For thanks to this new room, Kendal at Granville now – at last! – has a facility large enough to accommodate the entire resident population of the campus. And since the room is equipped with both a stage suitable for larger performance groups and an advanced audio-visual technology system, the Entertainment Committee is already working on lining up various singing groups, theatrical troupes, and musical ensembles for the entertainment of residents.
I should add that the Amelia Gathering Room was confirmed as part of the Phase II construction plan only after it became clear that it was feasible to meet the cost of the room through dedicated gifts from friends and residents of Kendal; and the facility was in fact named at the request of a generous and anonymous donor in honor of someone close to the donor.
In the weeks since June we have already begun to taste the opportunities the Amelia makes available to us. Take these three examples:
In July the Kendal at Granville Residents Association was able for the first time to hold its monthly meeting in a room large enough to accommodate anyone who wanted to attend. By no coincidence, the meeting drew the largest crowd of residents in the history of the association. Sure beats the older room, where space was tight and chairs a bit uncomfortable. And fuller attendance will allow more residents to be actively engaged in Kendal activities.
Later in July about a dozen members of the Licking County barber shop quartet organization gave us a concert. It was a happy evening, with richly-harmonized barber shop favorites, a few novelties, some good sentimental stuff, and a patriotic song or two – a menu to please the taste of almost anyone. Some singers were rookies, but at least one veteran was in his 53rd year of membership. The Amelia Gathering Room rocked!
Just a day later the men's breakfast club met to receive instruction in the martial arts – not perhaps active and physical instruction, but educational and illuminating demonstrations. Three practitioners of martial arts, one of them 78 years old and all associated with a studio in nearby Newark, showed us a variety of "exercises" (I'm not quite sure what the proper term is, but they all involved quick movements and sudden shouts), told us a bit about the complicated history of Asian martial arts, and explained how some of the differences among, say, Taekwondo, Judo, and Aikido arose. I left quite persuaded that, whatever else might be said about the lessons of the demonstrations, practitioners of martial arts are in impressively good physical shape.
So what else can the Emilia Gathering Room be used for? Well, this coming Sunday two residents, Judy Chambers and Arie Janssens, will be getting married. That's a first for Kendal – a marriage that unites two residents. And the grand occasion offers us another first – the inaugural wedding reception for the new gathering room. Everyone is invited and there's room for everyone to attend.
Exploring new opportunities indeed!
I should add that the Amelia Gathering Room was confirmed as part of the Phase II construction plan only after it became clear that it was feasible to meet the cost of the room through dedicated gifts from friends and residents of Kendal; and the facility was in fact named at the request of a generous and anonymous donor in honor of someone close to the donor.
In the weeks since June we have already begun to taste the opportunities the Amelia makes available to us. Take these three examples:
In July the Kendal at Granville Residents Association was able for the first time to hold its monthly meeting in a room large enough to accommodate anyone who wanted to attend. By no coincidence, the meeting drew the largest crowd of residents in the history of the association. Sure beats the older room, where space was tight and chairs a bit uncomfortable. And fuller attendance will allow more residents to be actively engaged in Kendal activities.
Later in July about a dozen members of the Licking County barber shop quartet organization gave us a concert. It was a happy evening, with richly-harmonized barber shop favorites, a few novelties, some good sentimental stuff, and a patriotic song or two – a menu to please the taste of almost anyone. Some singers were rookies, but at least one veteran was in his 53rd year of membership. The Amelia Gathering Room rocked!
Just a day later the men's breakfast club met to receive instruction in the martial arts – not perhaps active and physical instruction, but educational and illuminating demonstrations. Three practitioners of martial arts, one of them 78 years old and all associated with a studio in nearby Newark, showed us a variety of "exercises" (I'm not quite sure what the proper term is, but they all involved quick movements and sudden shouts), told us a bit about the complicated history of Asian martial arts, and explained how some of the differences among, say, Taekwondo, Judo, and Aikido arose. I left quite persuaded that, whatever else might be said about the lessons of the demonstrations, practitioners of martial arts are in impressively good physical shape.
So what else can the Emilia Gathering Room be used for? Well, this coming Sunday two residents, Judy Chambers and Arie Janssens, will be getting married. That's a first for Kendal – a marriage that unites two residents. And the grand occasion offers us another first – the inaugural wedding reception for the new gathering room. Everyone is invited and there's room for everyone to attend.
Exploring new opportunities indeed!
Friday, June 28, 2013
Oh Frabjous Day! Callooh! Callay!
Lewis Carroll caught the spirit of the day. The Jabberwock – better known at Kendal at Granville as the past two years of Phase II construction – has been overcome. The challenge has been met. It was time to celebrate the triumph.
And celebrate is what we did. The big event, held this morning, was formally titled the "Phase II Dedication & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony." But it was more than that. In attendance were not only the current residents and soon-to-be residents, but also representatives of some of the various groups and bodies that had helped us in various ways as we moved through the whole planning and construction process: our bankers, our architects, our designers, our friends in the Granville government and community, our friends in the media. The brand new Amelia Gathering Room, our meeting place, was on its inaugural voyage, and it was filled for the occasion! And (to continue the metaphor), as conversation after conversation testified, we were quite consciously embarking on a new era in the great adventure that is Kendal.
The ceremony was brisk, as four speakers provided brief opening remarks. Doug Helman, the executive director, greeted everyone with words of thanks to all the people who had contributed to the success of the project. Dr. Tom Mills, president of the board of Kendal at Granville, spoke of his pleasure to see the board's vision finally fulfilled. Ashley Wade, director of marketing, celebrated the diversity of interests that our residents, with their rich range of life experiences, were bringing to the community. (As a footnote, it may be added that she wept with joy – really, truly! – and in doing so caught the spirit of many in the audience.) Finally, John Diffey, president and CEO of Kendal corporation, in congratulating everyone, reminded the audience that the Kendal project was an affirmation of a set of humane values grounded in caring and generosity.
This series of short remarks was followed by a series of dedications, with attention given to the generosity of several anonymous donors. Future generations will see testimonies to these acts of generosity in the memorial plaques to be placed in the Amelia Gathering Room and the Florence Wellness Center respectively. Then David Skeen, president of the Kendal at Granville Residents Association, presented a check for $27,000 to Doug Helman as a gift from the association to help meet the costs of the A/V equipment that will enhance the usefulness of the Amelia Garthrering Room.
Finally came a ceremonial ribbon cutting. With David Skeen holding the scissors and residents from all areas of Kendal life holding the ribbon, the new facility was formally dedicated and opened. Applause filled the room.
The post-dedication activities that were on offer included tours of the new health center, tours of the new apartments, and a luncheon buffet. As the assembled guests moved into the hallways and lobbies, it was a time for chatting, for questions, for comments, and for congratulations. I suspect that many of the conversations turned in one way or another on the symbolism of day: for happy events portend happy futures. Kendal is entering a new era. Callooh! Callay!, indeed.
And celebrate is what we did. The big event, held this morning, was formally titled the "Phase II Dedication & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony." But it was more than that. In attendance were not only the current residents and soon-to-be residents, but also representatives of some of the various groups and bodies that had helped us in various ways as we moved through the whole planning and construction process: our bankers, our architects, our designers, our friends in the Granville government and community, our friends in the media. The brand new Amelia Gathering Room, our meeting place, was on its inaugural voyage, and it was filled for the occasion! And (to continue the metaphor), as conversation after conversation testified, we were quite consciously embarking on a new era in the great adventure that is Kendal.
The ceremony was brisk, as four speakers provided brief opening remarks. Doug Helman, the executive director, greeted everyone with words of thanks to all the people who had contributed to the success of the project. Dr. Tom Mills, president of the board of Kendal at Granville, spoke of his pleasure to see the board's vision finally fulfilled. Ashley Wade, director of marketing, celebrated the diversity of interests that our residents, with their rich range of life experiences, were bringing to the community. (As a footnote, it may be added that she wept with joy – really, truly! – and in doing so caught the spirit of many in the audience.) Finally, John Diffey, president and CEO of Kendal corporation, in congratulating everyone, reminded the audience that the Kendal project was an affirmation of a set of humane values grounded in caring and generosity.
This series of short remarks was followed by a series of dedications, with attention given to the generosity of several anonymous donors. Future generations will see testimonies to these acts of generosity in the memorial plaques to be placed in the Amelia Gathering Room and the Florence Wellness Center respectively. Then David Skeen, president of the Kendal at Granville Residents Association, presented a check for $27,000 to Doug Helman as a gift from the association to help meet the costs of the A/V equipment that will enhance the usefulness of the Amelia Garthrering Room.
Finally came a ceremonial ribbon cutting. With David Skeen holding the scissors and residents from all areas of Kendal life holding the ribbon, the new facility was formally dedicated and opened. Applause filled the room.
The post-dedication activities that were on offer included tours of the new health center, tours of the new apartments, and a luncheon buffet. As the assembled guests moved into the hallways and lobbies, it was a time for chatting, for questions, for comments, and for congratulations. I suspect that many of the conversations turned in one way or another on the symbolism of day: for happy events portend happy futures. Kendal is entering a new era. Callooh! Callay!, indeed.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Reflections on Life at Kendal
This afternoon I want to share a personal reflection on how I feel about life at Kendal after moving here as a Founder with the first residents to settle in back in 2005 and an observation made by a resident who has only been here since early in 2012.
Last week our Resident Association Council changed the format of their monthly meeting into an open forum to which all residents were invited to come and share their concerns about life at Kendal. As the president opened the meeting at 1:30 p.m. he asked those present to feel free to share whatever was on their mind about Kendal be it good or not so good. One of the very first comments came from a resident who moved here early in 2012. This person is someone whose experience here includes using an electric wheelchair and oxygen 24/7 so he has to deal with issues that many of us do not. This is what he had to say, "I'm concerned that we might not be able to get to dinner if we bring up all of what's good." Considering that our dinner hour is from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.one would have to agree that this is a very positive reaction to life at Kendal.
To better appreicate my reflection on how I feel about my life now at Kendal I believe it will be helpful to share a little about my life before and after coming here eight years ago. I lived in a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and made several trips a year driving alone to visit my son and a steoson and their families in Ohio. Having grown up in northwest Ohio and with family in Ohio I determined that I wanted to find a CCRC in Ohio. As a former teacher of geriatric nursing and living in Philadelphia I knew about Kendal so when I learned about a new Kendal being built in Granville I applied and the rest is history.
After my retirement as a director of a school of nursing I became an active hospital auxilian so naturally when I arrived here I looked for something worthwhile to fill my time. I joined a local church and got involved in several small groups there. Here at Kendal my activities include serving on the Pool Committee, the Gallery Committee, and the Diversity Committee. As a member of the Fiber Arts Group I have been responsible for three shows of Fiber Arts works in the Kendal Art Gallery. Recently I've begun taking part in our Genealogy Group.
Aong the way a number of things have resulted in changes to the way I live my life. I've had seven surgeries which have exposed me to three community hospitals as well as one brief stay in our assisted living unit and a one month stay in our skilled nursing unit. I have been the beneficiary of a variety of services from our physical therapy department.. I now walk with the assistance of a rollator and I no longer drive. Reluctantly I've had to drop out of my church activities since I no longer drive. As a result I now take advantage of the Sunday afternoon services held here in our Central Activities Room.
Last week as I was talking with a staff member who was helping me to arrange for one of my transportation needs and fulfill a maintenance request I commented to her about my life here at Kendal as follows, "With the housekeeping staff to keep my apartment clean, the maintenance staff to respond to my calls for help when something doesn't work, the dining staff to provide me with nourishing meals, and a set of drivers to take me to medical appointments and shopping living at Kendal is the nearest thing to heaven on earth that I can ask for." Looking back I realize that I overlooked mentioning the healthcare staff who have helped me recover when necessary and who help me keep well so that in spite of the problems I have to overcome I still feel positive about life and look forward to many more years here.
Last week our Resident Association Council changed the format of their monthly meeting into an open forum to which all residents were invited to come and share their concerns about life at Kendal. As the president opened the meeting at 1:30 p.m. he asked those present to feel free to share whatever was on their mind about Kendal be it good or not so good. One of the very first comments came from a resident who moved here early in 2012. This person is someone whose experience here includes using an electric wheelchair and oxygen 24/7 so he has to deal with issues that many of us do not. This is what he had to say, "I'm concerned that we might not be able to get to dinner if we bring up all of what's good." Considering that our dinner hour is from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.one would have to agree that this is a very positive reaction to life at Kendal.
To better appreicate my reflection on how I feel about my life now at Kendal I believe it will be helpful to share a little about my life before and after coming here eight years ago. I lived in a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and made several trips a year driving alone to visit my son and a steoson and their families in Ohio. Having grown up in northwest Ohio and with family in Ohio I determined that I wanted to find a CCRC in Ohio. As a former teacher of geriatric nursing and living in Philadelphia I knew about Kendal so when I learned about a new Kendal being built in Granville I applied and the rest is history.
After my retirement as a director of a school of nursing I became an active hospital auxilian so naturally when I arrived here I looked for something worthwhile to fill my time. I joined a local church and got involved in several small groups there. Here at Kendal my activities include serving on the Pool Committee, the Gallery Committee, and the Diversity Committee. As a member of the Fiber Arts Group I have been responsible for three shows of Fiber Arts works in the Kendal Art Gallery. Recently I've begun taking part in our Genealogy Group.
Aong the way a number of things have resulted in changes to the way I live my life. I've had seven surgeries which have exposed me to three community hospitals as well as one brief stay in our assisted living unit and a one month stay in our skilled nursing unit. I have been the beneficiary of a variety of services from our physical therapy department.. I now walk with the assistance of a rollator and I no longer drive. Reluctantly I've had to drop out of my church activities since I no longer drive. As a result I now take advantage of the Sunday afternoon services held here in our Central Activities Room.
Last week as I was talking with a staff member who was helping me to arrange for one of my transportation needs and fulfill a maintenance request I commented to her about my life here at Kendal as follows, "With the housekeeping staff to keep my apartment clean, the maintenance staff to respond to my calls for help when something doesn't work, the dining staff to provide me with nourishing meals, and a set of drivers to take me to medical appointments and shopping living at Kendal is the nearest thing to heaven on earth that I can ask for." Looking back I realize that I overlooked mentioning the healthcare staff who have helped me recover when necessary and who help me keep well so that in spite of the problems I have to overcome I still feel positive about life and look forward to many more years here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)