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.
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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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