Waiting for the Band

I’ve been here for fourteen months now and am finally starting to feel that this is really my home. Today, I sat with a group of residents awaiting entertainment by the “clatter” band, a group of residents who make music playing kitchen utensils. Sound weird? Perhaps. But they actually produce good sounds and the audience is encouraged to sing along. The band leader is an energetic nearly ninety year old woman with the spirit of a teenager. Lorraine (not her real name lest I encourage a law suit in this day of legal action at the drop of a bobby pin) is always attractively attired, has a genuine smile on her sweet face and knows how to coax some lively tunes out of her musicians.

While waiting for the band to warm up I got caught up in a conversation with another resident who wanted to know where I lived before moving here, where I originally come from and why I don’t come down often as I had mentioned the fact that I don’t. Wondering how to tell her without sounding full of myself or just plain making an excuse, I reluctantly explained that I am a writer still involved in producing the written word.

Seated there after lunch, I was privy to a gossip session between two female residents and learned more than I need to know about a couple of others. Being a master at eavesdropping, I got an earful.

I could write a book!

LIFE GOES ON

I just finished reading an interesting bit of information about a study done in Australia regarding the benefits of friendships. The study conducted by The Centre for Aging at Findler University found, as many of us already know, that good friends bolster our self esteem and provide emotional support. The most significant finding to me is the fact that as people age, they tend to spend more time with people they like.

Living in a retirement hotel that houses 200 people sometimes makes it difficult to create a circle of friends. Most residents here are pleasant, they smile and say hello in passing, but friendships are another matter. So far, I have made one really significant friend. We dine together once a week and may on the rare occasion lunch together as well. But as much as I love this person, and I do, we have not yet delved into the nitty gritty of our lives. I have always thought of myself as a bit of a social butterfly and have found that others think of me the same way, as outgoing, effervescent and warm. That is true of one part of me. Of late, I have come to realize that those adjectives are true to a point. I am enjoying my own company more and more; friendly and smiley in greeting a resident whenever I venture into the lobby to people watch, but inwardly content to spend my days writing, reading, watching TV and catching up with old friends by phone.

When I need to spill my emotional guts, I call my daughter in law, a cousin with whom I am very close or my wonderful aunt. They listen and respond. My new “potential” friends are still in the forming stage. Once upon a time I spilled everything out like a water faucet. Today, I am more selective and that’s probably good.

A little mystery can't hurt!

Sylvia

"Living in a Retirement Hotel"