Can it really be only four months until Christmas?
Summer was here and seconds later it wasn't. Is it because I am old or does time really move that fast? The air is crisp, the trees will soon be shedding their coat of leaves, but not before the reds and oranges of fall paint them for this new season.
We have been eating a lot of delicious tomatoes and cucumbers from our gardens. The apples were prolific as well and we have had apple pies, apple sauce and apple crisps from our trees. Once again we have to thank Gordon Loustel for all his hard work in the yard and gardens. He has a green thumb when it comes to gardening and we have all reaped the benefits.
Hill View has been busy as usual with the toe-tapping music of Susan Shepherd, Susan Moser, Wilma Mantei, Bob Olson, the Caragana Ramblers and the Happy Wanderers. We were also very blessed to have Audrey Andrist perform for us.
She is a renowned pianist and her music was certainly enjoyed by the residents. Through the summer months, we have been taking a group of residents every week down to the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Course for lunch. They have a nice meal of their choice and then go for a tour of the course on the golf carts.
This is something different for them and they certainly enjoyed the opportunity of getting out in the fresh air and having a change of scenery. We also went to the Souris Valley Theatre’s two live performances, which were enjoyed by all.
The seniors’ tea at the Souris Valley Museum was very nice. The Freebies entertained, and they had a tour of the museum which was nostalgic for the residents. They saw what we call antiques and they brought back many memories of past days and the hard life many lived.
We were very pleased to see some cement sidewalks rather than all crushed rock. It was so much easier to push wheel chairs. Thank you for that addition, it is much appreciated.
The monthly birthday parties are always special for the residents. July's reciprocates of birthday wishes were Louise Seipp, who turned 90, Rita Muirhead turned 96 and Ed Tafelmeyer is now 94.
We also want to give best wishes to Ed and Laura Tafelmeyer, who celebrated 55 years of marriage on July 6.
August birthday wishes were given to Dot Bridges, who turned 94, Marlene Krueger (77), Audrey Sovdi (93), and Gordon Loustel (93). Congrats to all of you and we hope you have many more healthy, happy years to celebrate.
We offer our condolences to the families of Elaine Davidson, who died Aug. 8, and Anne Zohner, who died Aug. 15. Both of these precious little ladies are missed very much. They were tiny but mighty. Elaine was such a spunky lady who appreciated everything we did for her and was quick to thank us. Every time the staff entered her room she would say "isn't it nice to be young and useful like you?"
She had been a devoted wife to husband Wayne who was in the long-term care. Elaine never missed a single day of going to visit him. When he died, I think Elaine lost a part of herself as well. It is very encouraging for us to know that they are together once again. Elaine was not at all afraid of death. She was tired and she knew that her relationship with God would ensure her a home in heaven with Him. How can we be sad about that?
Our little Anne was also special to us. She had some difficulty expressing herself verbally but she spoke to us in her own unique way. She had a sparkle in her eyes that we loved and could read very clearly. Anne was very active and was seen up and down the hallways of her home here at Hill View too many times a day to count.
This kept her very agile and she was content when she could walk. Anne loved her family and was happiest when sons Randy or Brian came to see her. Anne, in spite of many setbacks in her life, had a sweet, gentle spirit and was always willing to share a hug.
She was spiritual in her private way and loved Jesus very much. It is so wonderful that when we lose one of our residents, though we grieve, we rest assured and draw comfort from knowing that they were welcomed into Father’s arms and are reunited with loved ones.
We thank the families of Elaine and Anne for their wonderful support and encouragement through the years. Families tend to become part of us as well and we pray that they can take shelter under His wings and find peace knowing that their moms are safe in the arms of Jesus.
We hope you all enjoy the remainder of summer, that your harvest is plentiful, your health is good and you have most of your Christmas shopping already done.
