Vacation Day 4

Vacation Diary Entry: Day 4 - Regina, Saskatchewan – An Amazing Community of Friends

As I entered this room full of friends the laughter was bubbling. The room was a buzz with people talking – about 40 of them. These are my mom’s friends. Yesterday they planned a surprise party for mom in the recreation room on her apartment building.

Five years ago when my mom moved from her home of many years to an apartment building my sisters and I were concerned how she would do in the new environment. How would she cope on the 9th floor of a building instead the freedom of her own yard? How about her friends that were part of her life in the old community? She knew all her neighbours and their families. Losing all these people in the old community would be hard for her – at least we thought so…

Not so… with mom.

In her new apartment the folks that live here had a wonderful coffee time each morning – a real support group that was well developed. To join you bring your own coffee cup and 25 cents – then join the laughter, discussion and sometimes the wee problems that others have. This is a community that cares for each other. It is ‘Main Street’ of the old days where every one knew everyone else. It is the front porch of the older days too when everyone trusted everyone else.

Over the past 5 years I have come to know the ladies (and men) of this coffee group as mom told me stories of the events that are taking place in the lives of her friends. I have heard of the sadness of the group as one of their members dies. This week alone there were two funerals for people that lived here.

I know this is a tiny bit of gossip – but this week I heard that two of the folks that live (lived) here are planning to get married – 90 years old can you believe it! Okay. I think they are working quickly to get the paper work done. As this was discussed by some parts of the group – someone said that the lady should just move in with her beau. Others stated that because of her church connections she would be living in “sin” and she wouldn’t do that kind of thing. Then there was lots of giggling around the table.

Chopped ham on buns along with really good egg salad half buns were the lunch snack – along with lots of sweet goodies. Three of the ladies took care of serving.

I took the opportunity to thank the ladies of this community for the love and care that they show each other. I complimented them on what they do together. It is really amazing.

On the lighter side – I shared with the folks, at the party yesterday, about mom’s name change – something noticeable for her family. I first discovered the name change when Alida and I came to visit one summer… one of the ladies greeted me on the elevator and then asked, “ Are you Marion’s son?” I stared at her and said “Yes…. I think so…” When I got back to the apartment I asked my mom – who Marion was? Then she explained the story.

In the group there would be two Nell-s if she went by Nell. So mom suggested that they could use her first name – Marion. When another Marion was in the group too – someone suggested that they could call my mom – Maryanne.

I told the group yesterday that she is really called “Mom” in our family.

In the group she is known as a “friend”. This part of the move is going to be hard to duplicate for my mom in Peterborough. I have yet to find a group that is so close and that cares so much.

A BIG THANK YOU to the ladies (and men) of the Canadiana Apartment’s Coffee Group, bridge group, party group – Marion Lincoln’s other family.

A Doubly BIG THANK You to Marvin – the greatest Superintendent that son could ever have for his mother.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

BTW – Mom noted that everyone at the Party was all dressed up for her!