Retirement Communities and One Thing They Are About
Retirement Communities and One Thing They Are About
Today was unlike the usual “sticky” hot day in August—it was beautifully cool and dry. I decided a walk through our retirement community garden plots would be an enjoyable activity to see the results of many months of labor in the fruits and flowers. After my late afternoon stroll, I stopped by at a weather-beaten picnic table wisely placed under a shady arbor. “A good place to rest,” I thought. While sitting there enjoying the leafy respite, a stocky woman with a serious expression started clipping and digging at the plot nearby. I noticed she was covered in dirt from head to toe and didn’t seem to mind. We said the usual greetings and I learned her name was Susan. She seemed very busy and at first we didn’t speak much, but I soon learned she had a story to tell.
Our hesitating chat revealed she had four garden plots. “Wow, that’s a lot,” I said. “Yes, it’s probably too much,” she said, still not smiling. “I couldn’t keep up with the one I had when I gardened here,” I told her, hoping it would put her more at ease. I had my camera and I wanted a photo of her. “Not a good idea,” I thought, so I didn’t ask. Something about her made me think she didn’t take too well to strangers just popping in.
Being very curious and looking for a story, I found myself blurting out, “Did you like to garden all your life?” I got her attention for the first time and she stared straight at me as if what she was about to say was important. “When I was a child, I wanted a garden very much. My mother had a large property and she told me I could have a garden on one condition: that I never touch even one blade of grass. Now every inch of our property was covered with grass so I went and dug up some dirt under a pile of firewood and put it on top of a concrete wall we had and planted seeds. I had to carry water to the wall. For years, that is how I gardened,” she said. “My mother never changed her mind her entire life.” “Later, as an adult, I did join some garden clubs and had some gardens. Eventually, I sold her property and moved to this retirement community where I have four plots.”
I thought of all the years Susan felt deprived of the full expression of doing something she loved. Now in this place and time she was finally able to do just that. I looked closely at her and saw the garden dirt that covered her from head to toe that most would dust off. Susan probably loved it. How many of us cannot for some reason do the things we want to do until we reach our retirement years! Now when I walk around my retirement community, I have a new appreciation for the seniors and the many activities they are involved in. I watch people doing things they really love. Woodshop, ceramics, socializing, volunteering, taking classes, painting, getting fit, and traveling are just a few. I am grateful to Susan for unknowingly changing my perspective on the reason why seniors so vigorously pursue their activities and clubs. From my new perspective, I enjoy seeing this activity by seniors and have a greater understanding of the need for providing a variety of clubs and activities at retirement communities.
Carol Fena, after many years of real estate experience, resides in a retirement community and enjoys writing for her website http://www.bestguide-retirementcommunities.com