That’s it, I’m moving, my friend says. Too many old people living here. Every time I turn around, there’s an ambulance. I can’t take it. It’s too depressing, she says.
My friend, who is 65, is morose because yet another neighbor has fallen ill. I understand, and I’m sad, too, but I see it differently. Yes, living in a senior community means you’re more aware of mortality, but – not to be morbid – it’s kind of educational. Life happens. Wouldn’t you rather know what to expect? (There’s a column in the Huffington Post about this very thing.)
I mean, whether I live here or in a more typical neighborhood, it’s still going to happen. I’d rather get some of the strangeness out of the way by then. Other benefits: instead of feeling like it’s fate choosing to punish you when you get sick, you see that it happens to everybody. Also, your retired neighbors are more likely to know what you’re dealing with, and support you in your hard times. At least, that’s been my experience.
My friend became overwhelmed. I am, too – with gratitude. Since I moved here, to what she calls “Kevorkian Estates,” I appreciate my health more. I appreciate every day, even though right now we’re melting through August. It’s ugly outside. Hot, smoggy, blinding bleached-out sky…and still it seems richer to me, somehow. Related? I think so.
I’m in a Senior independant living community. We still allow dependant childrent, etc., and there’s lots of grandkids visiting, especially in the summer (The Pool! The Pool!).
I’m 61 and appreciate having neighbors my age; we usually have something in common. I rarely mind the kids running around with noise; heck, mine did.
As for passing on: well, that’s pretty much inevitable. I lost my neighbor, my apartment mate’s wife and then my apartment mate. Such is life.
I agree that we’re all mortal and things will happen, so isn’t it good to have your peeps around when it does? And as for kids and noise, when I see a couple of kids at the pool I smile – they are a joy to have around, since they’re kind of a rare commodity. Good to hear from you, Bruce.