BY JOELLEN COLLINS
I have acquired a couple of family trees through the sites I’ve used researching my birth and adoptive families. I respect the names of those listed and possibly still to be accessed. I’ve learned, finding compatible elders in my new residence, to acquire some friends who might, though not genetically, be close to becoming “family.”
I share with you some brief instances when I have discovered compassion or humor or loyalty in my acquaintances here, along with tales of remarkable lives and well-earned wisdom. Thank goodness these new friends are so much dearer than I expected.
My first dinner in our large dining room gave me a hint of what lay ahead. Across from me sat a tall, brightly dressed woman who shared a bit of her rich life as a girl born in Australia, and as an artist who would live with her American husband in 10 U.S. states. After she left, one of the diners revealed that this remarkable woman would celebrate her 100th birthday later that week. I could only hope that in the years ahead I will be as warm, welcoming, and vivacious as she.
Another day, worried that I was spending too much time with just a few of my new friends, I joined a different group at an afternoon tea and met an East Indian woman who, that afternoon, brought me a book she thought I might like. Later, I literally bumped into a beautiful Japanese woman younger than I am, I’m sure, who has become a source of inspiration. I am with residents of many ethnic backgrounds, a diversity that is a great part of the richness here.
Then there are amazing coincidences. I dined across from a brand-new acquaintance and discovered that I was married next door to her home, near UCLA. We also learned we shared a friendship with one of my fellow Santa Monica High School teachers. How lucky we were! Last week I sat in a very crowded dining room, with two other women soon joined by a gentleman. As with anyone else, I asked his name and said, “I’m delighted to meet you.” The woman next to me said, “HE’S TAKEN!” I guess they thought I had flirted by just being friendly. We all giggled a bit after I replied, “Well, I’m not taking anyone at this time!” Turns out he grew up on a potato farm in Jerome, Idaho! We then had fun reminiscing about the “old” Ketchum of Slavey’s, and Louie’s, etc.
A pair of petite women love my dog Suki and, while there is a language barrier between us, we smile a lot at each other. The other day, a musical group did not show up for the daily “Happy Hour.” Some time later, someone approached Iris, the smaller and elder of the two, and helped get her up. She pulled out a harmonica from her walker bag and played “Auld Lang Syne.” We all sang along, and I felt blessed with her courage and the sweetness of that moment.
She’s another “ornament” on my long-life tree!