From Frank...
I guess I'm sentimental. Memories tug at my heartstrings, especially those of my mother, since she can no longer tell those stories due to her Alzheimer's. Luckily, she still seems to enjoy when I tell her the stories of my youth and all the craziness that ensued from our house with a single, working mother of seven trying to make it all work in the early 1970s. Retelling them somehow transports me back in time, but with the added bonus of years of reflections on the stories' importance in the decades since I lived the experience.
One of my favorite holiday stories is when my mother, who worked for a podiatrist, Dr. Sussman, thought it would be a good idea to decorate the large tubes that tape rolls came in instead of Christmas stockings. It was the year that we each had our Christmas "tube." How she had the time to do that with everything else going on, I'll never know, but it was her desire for creativity that stands out for me. Remembering the essence of her helps to lessen the pain of the loss of much of her to dementia. It's also still quite funny for me to remember the shock and confusion of finding decorated Christmas tubes filled with small presents and candies on the hearth that year. There was one for each of us. I'm not alone in finding it funny because inevitably, around this time of year, one of my sisters will pipe in on our family text thread with "remember the year of the tubes?!"
Next week, on Thursday, December 19th at 3pm, we’ll be hosting an opportunity for you to share your most memorable holiday stories. To eliminate the tech challenges for some, we’ll use a simple conference call line. Once you register, either by clicking here or calling the office on 202-615-5853, you’ll receive a local number to call to join the conversation. There won’t be any pesky access codes or pins to enter, just the number. If you have a phone of any kind you can participate! I hope you’ll join me on this call and share your memorable moments.
Also, next week, on Tuesday, December 17th, we’ll meet at The Kennedy-Warren at noon for our first Lunch & Learn series. Jody Beck, who is a Village member and volunteer (yes, you can do both – but it’s not a requirement!) will tell us about her book! It is quite an extraordinary thing to have written a book about a family relative she’d never met based on letters sent during WWII. Note that this is a “bring your own lunch” and the Village will supply coffee and dessert.
Finally, thank you to those who made our holiday party such a success, notably our co-chairs, Sandy Rubin and Pat Wittie, and volunteers Bonnie, Janice, Sandy, Doug, Mark, Honora, Ron, Jody, Dale, and Terry. As always, it was so special being with everyone, and it reminded me that the holiday season is about being together and appreciating the gift of time with one another.
— Frank Finamore, Executive Director
PS – The Village office will be closed on December 25th and New Years Day, but we will have a skeleton crew other days that week. Members Plus are asked to plan and request any services needed as soon as possible.
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