Community

Community..... only lately have we begun to understand that the fellow residents are now our community, however long we are at Rosedale.  And there is much to give and gain if we just notice and take the time to learn names, to smile and say good morning, to share our dog, Charlie.

The staff is easy for us to appreciate....they are so skilled at caring and responsive to unending needs.  But the residents are easy to look past.....the are also in wheelchairs,and eye contact takes an extra effort. Because they are usually "old" and some look "vacant" or depressed it is easy to not want to engage.  It might feel awkward or take too much time.  The conversations we have taken time to have remind us that "they" are us, just with more experience with life and physical challenges that would put anyone to the test.

Steve and I attended the Rosedale Veteran's Day program and it really brought home how much we stand to learn from our community.  Picture a row of mostly WW II veterans, all in wheelchairs, singing patriotic songs, listening intently to the program and saluting where they could.    It was the first time I had seen one of these men widely open his eyes and really "come alive."  It was very moving and we were proud that Steve was included in the program and the honor.

Many of us dread the possibility that we will be in one of "those places" when we get old.  It might help us fear less if we move toward those who have taken on that "assignment" and learn from them how to accept limitations with grace and dignity.

-Nancy and Steve