Change and Thanksgiving

We are beginning the third week at our winter home. As you can tell by the lack new blog posts, not much has been happening until today. We have settled into living in a warmer climate with days of 80º+ and nights in the 50ºs. Some of our friends and neighbors have also arrived at Senior Camp. We have settled into a retired life routine that suits the two of us.

It is Tuesday as I write this. It was Thanksgiving Day Lunch at the resort today. We have participated in this turkey feast for a number of years. Some years the food is better than others. Some years there are more residents and guests than other years. It is always a nice opportunity to see folks we have met in the past. Such was the case today.

tables were beautifully decorated

more on the decorating later***

Our neighbors joined us at our table set for ten. Also joining us were a couple Hubby and I have met and known for most of the 13 years we have been at Senior Camp. I have to admit I have not talked to her other for at least a year than to say Hi. I have even taken a resort class from her. She and her husband joined us and she told me and my neighbor how she had tripped and fallen just prior to coming to lunch. She landed quite hard on her bum and said she was certain she would have trouble getting out of her chair. We sympathized with her. I also noticed she was having trouble closing her blouse. Three buttons were unbuttoned allowing more of her chest to show than we thought she might be comfortable showing. She appeared to have trouble so I offered to help. I thought maybe she had hurt her hand when she tripped and fell. The button was very tiny and was difficult to push through the slot. That was when I noticed the top two buttons were missing. No big deal. The blouse would stay closed enough to not be revealing. We visited around the table before lunch, talking about places we had lived and places we have visited. I began to realize she was having some memory issues. I asked if she had hit her head when she fell. No. Did she black out and then fall? No, caught her foot on the lip of the sidewalk and landed on her bum.

The tables were called by number to go through the buffet line for lunch. She got up and got in line although her husband and the rest of us did not get up. She thought our table had been called even when I said, "No, our number is 1. Table 8 was just called." She went through the line and came back to our table with a slice of pumpkin pie, but no food. She asked her husband if he wanted the pie and he said no. She asked me but I said I wanted a slice of pecan. Finally, the fourth woman at our table took the pumpkin pie, whether she wanted it or not. A moment later, someone brought a plate of food to our table. She had left it set somewhere and thankfully, someone took notice.

She happily worked on her plate while we continued to wait to be called to get our food. Then she told me she was certain we would have birthday cake as it was Sue's birthday today and Sue would share cake with us. Then she left the table to find Sue and wish her a happy birthday. (Sue was not at the Thanksgiving meal.) When she was not present, I mentioned to her husband that I was sorry to see she has gone down hill. He looked at me and finally said, "Tell me about it!" She came back to our table with more plates of pie. She and her husband had 3 slices of pie for dessert. That was no big deal other than, he did not ask her to do it and I was a bit concerned we would all have more pie. Most of us had chosen our slice and brought it with us when we came through the buffet line.

We had entertainment after our delicious Thanksgiving lunch. About half-way through the program, she whispered across the table to my neighbor (whom she had not met before today) if she was ready to leave as she had had enough. My neighbor shook her head no; she wanted to stay. A few minutes later she came up to my chair and asked if I was ready to leave. Enough was enough. I said I wanted to stay until the end. Her husband said nothing. She stood for the last two musical numbers and her husband stood with her, but he did not leave until it was over. I watched her walk alone across the parking lot, concerned it she was going in the correct direction. I just felt sad.

Sad because someday that may be me. Sad because her husband seemed to brush it off. Sad because he did not know her shirt was missing two important buttons. Sad because he appeared to ignore her. Sad because I know her. Sad because it is a sign that many of us at Senior Camp are getting older and having health issues. Sad because I don't want it to happen to me or those I love. Sad on a day and week when I am truly thankful.

Thankful for the little things like the beauty of the desert and the mountain I get to see every day. Thankful for a grocery store that sells a dozen roses for $9.99 which I can afford and enjoy, just because.

Thankful for the stunning sunsets the smog and clouds provide almost every night.

Thankful for family and friends. Thankful for my health and the health of my loved ones, as it could always be worse. Thankful.

****And now for the decor of the tables and room today...as Hubby and I and our neighbors were walking into the ballroom/dining room today, the person holding the door for us cried, "Mr. E! I know you." Yes, she did look familiar. After some reintroductions and chatting, the younger woman shared she is the decorator for our resort. She and some of her siblings had Hubby for a teacher. Small world and a bright spot to the day.