We have been on our second outing, to a new senior living center this week. Along the drive there I was wondering if Siri was giving me the wrong directions. Deeper and deeper I drove into LaJolla till I reached the beach. Nope, Siri was correct this time and I was truly struck by how more than nice Casa de Manana is. There were plants everywhere, a library with people engaged in newspapers and books. I was surprised and charmed and curious about who lives here. And after learning what it costs to actually live here, I am even more curious how one gets to be so well prepared to live your later years in such a nice place. It was nice to see the impressive vibrant lives that lived here too. I learned from this place that some people are able to be relaxed in the later years with the struggles to survive now calm, peaceful and secure. It was such a contrast to the Gary and Mary West Senior Center we visited that I am moved to bring some TLC to the West environment. There the struggle is real and in your face. It also reminded me of India. India is an in your face struggle. I hope to contact Melinda Gates and see if she can bring her energy to improve the environment of the West center. Let's get the big guns on this one. The people who live at Casa de Manana are happy, open, and friendly. We chatted with them, and they shared their stories, offering us insight of the many years that brought them to today. The staff is just as pleasant also. At the end of the trip we took our pictures of ourselves outside, as we dispersed just like in the end of the movie Oceans 11. Two at a time we left till it was just our beloved leader Leslie, Sarina, and I standing near the bluff in silent absorption of the sun and sea. We didn't want to really move too soon, so as not to disturb the peace of the moment and the place.The smell and sound of the ocean roaring over our being like a blessing. After a few minutes we said our goodbyes and like in the movie we disappeared into our own lives.
“View time and space as they come to you in the form of problems, experiences, and relations. Look at the perpetual current of emotions and thoughts that arise within you. Go into the heart of your aspirations, dreams, hopes, and despairs. Dive deep into the mute cravings of your inner self. Life is manifesting itself through all these channels and demanding that you seek understanding with your highest intelligence, wisdom, love, and vision.” I came across this quote from Paramahansa Yogananda at this more than interesting time of my life. From this life scholars class I would have never been exposed to the environment of aging that I experienced at the senior center. There are people like Professor Nancy Quawk who brought to my attention how needy, vulnerable and important we are to each other. An assumption I needed to turn into belief- that I took for granted and really didn't digest what we are to one another. This LCS course is building further on my exposure and attitudes of our human condition and my place in this.I am looking at all the events I am involved with, (when I can remember) and using the quote as a rubric, a map to manage my affairs, my emotions, and responses to these opportunities. My fellow LCS sisters, cohorts are divine gifts. The photo I included is a painting Im taking inspiration from as my sisters in the LCS class. Each as a gift to share.
Our Life Scholars Course is giving me a peek around the corner of the various ways I am to age. Within our readings I am in the room with our subjects, off to side listening as they make sense of their environment. We get to see Helen which happens to be my mothers name, live out her years in a care facility. Helen is the lucky one in this story who is adored by her daughter and boyfriend Howie. The only sad thing to me is that she has to live in a care facility. That seems to me is a loss of control over your life. That is too scary for me. I am hoping I can live in my own home and just as important, be self sufficient before I depart this planet. As of now I am examining what I need to change in myself to live a good healthy life as I age. The aches and cracking joints I want to take care of and stave off any further decline in them the best I can. Reading about Helen made me think of my mother because they share the same name. A name that is not as widely put in use as it once was. Today is actually my mothers birthday. She died of breast cancer when I was 13 years old. I want to remember mom more so I will put this picture where I can see it more. I wonder if my daughter will do the same after I am dearly departed. Helen is on the right, Her mother my grandmother Rose is in the middle, and my Aunt Fran who raised me is on left. This was taken in Palm Beach, Florida, in the 1950's. I like to think of this photo as the Three Graces.
Oprah opens with the statement "the older you get the harder it is to believe the number you are because it still feels like you always felt." I too feel like I have always felt. She turns 68 this week. And when she was younger she felt that 68 wasn't just old it was ancient! But she says now "this is what I know it's just a marker, Ive been around the sun 68 times and WE get to determine what that number means for each of us." I am in sync with Oprah and what this 65 marker means to me is to look for the best everyday. Bring as much light into my personal world so I can shine and share. Stay open to new possibilities and the delights ahead! This photo is of one of my delights to OWN my own home, Its me standing in front of the home I picked out- its has ocean views of Encinitas and its on my vision board- Ya'll come on in!
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Tara MessierTara Messier is an Urban Planning major and is interested in pursuing a minor in Archeology. She is from Archives
March 2022
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