A Diversion

Two months ago I was happily enjoying my retirement and the second fifty years of my life. Then the activity director of the retirement community where my Kiwanis club volunteers decides to quit. Two of the residents talked me into applying for his job. I did and now I’m an activity director for nearly 90 residents living in a retirement and assisted living community in the Portland area.

It has been an exciting two months. They have kept me busy and many of my “normal” activities have gone by the wayside. That includes keeping my by blog. There is just too much to do each day and for the first several weeks I was exhausted at the end of the day.

Now things have gotten better and an email from someone who had found this blog reminded me of how much I miss writing.

I am the oldest employee at the facility and there are only a few residents who are younger than my 59 years. According to one of my twin daughters I get to hang out with my peers all day. Yes, that’s right and I am enjoying every minute of it.

According to George E. Vaillant, author of Aging Well: Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Harvard Study, there are four “basic tasks” that are essential to postjob satisfaction: social activity, play, creativity, and lifelong learning. Neglect any of these, he says, and you will not enjoy your later years as fully as you might.

My job is to create opportunities for social activity, play, creativity and lifelong learning. It is an interesting challenge, especially with people have withdrawn into themselves or have physical or mental challenges.

This month I organized a Red Hat Society. Next month we will have our first men’s breakfast. Sometimes I just sit and talk. That is what they seem to like; someone to listen to their life story and each of them has a unique story.

I’ll be writing about my adventures at the old folks home.

Tom