COUPLES

My intention was to do a piece on Manor couples for Valentine's Day. Who was it that said, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions?" That could be my mantra.


Joann and Jack celebrated their 57th anniversary last evening. Their table always has jolly conversation and much laughter but last night the pop of a champagne cork signaled a celebration. He's our recently elected Resident President and is perfectly suited for the position. I especially like the way he goes to the table where a new resident is seated at dinnertime and welcomes her. It's a nice touch and seemingly a very natural gesture.


They nearly always are seated with Earl and Glenys who in June will have been married for 70 years. Glenys was born in Wales and both of them are outgoing and friendly, waving to nearby residents when they leave the dining table. I've never seen anyone, let alone 2 people, who know how to "pose" naturally for the camera the way they do.

We're the ones who planted the idea of moving to the Manor to Mary Jane and Bob (did you know I dropped the "Mary", but truth to tell, I'm a Mary Jane, too?.......it can get confusing, especially since we live 2 doors away from each other) Their daughter cringed at the idea and it was a big recoil. The idea didn't appeal to her at all. I think that attitude persisted right up to the time they moved to the Manor, but she came around to seeing the wisdom of the change. Much the same way our Tim finally became satisfied to see us here, even while mourning the loss of the family home.

Dorothy and Dick are recent arrivals. At the end of their meal, there's a carefully choreographed scene as he rises, pulls out her chair, turning it so that she's facing her walker. Then, taking both of her hands, he gently pulls her to a standing position (ouch! ouch! ouch!.....many of us know exactly how it feels) and finally, he places both of her hands on the walker grips. The whole process is graceful enough to be termed a ballet. It never varies.

Mickey and Nadine, another couple who have celebrated 70 years of married bliss, are the Manor folks we've come to know the best.  His natural bent is to coddle her and she shrugs off his assistance, wanting to do things herself, the epitome of the independent woman. 

She knows each individual by name, including the staff and the people in the Health Center. Nadine is the one who started the herb garden and she's my library co-chair. I couldn't carry on the duties without her.

There are 2 other couples in Assisted Living. Walter and Eva, who rarely are seen together. I think she keeps mostly to her room, due to her fragility.

Here are the new residents, Earl and Annabella.
He was rushed to the hospital and is undergoing surgery today. Please say your prayers and/or cross your fingers.

I can't leave us out. This is the photograph we framed for Susan one Christmas. I took a deep breath and wrote on the frame and she seemed to like it that way.

So, there you have it. Most of the residents here have lost their life partners, so memories abound. We, as couples, are fortunate indeed.

Marriage is a book of which the first chapter is written in poetry 

and the remaining chapters in prose.  

                                                                 ~Beverley Nichols