North Shore Living June 2025 Newsletter
Jean Marie Modl
“How much good inside a day? Depends how good you live ‘em.
How much love inside a friend? Depends how much you give ‘em.”—Shel Silverstein
It often seems like the most important things we provide in the Activities program are personal attention and friendship. We have time to get to know the residents and they have time to get to know us. We often grow fond of each other and genuinely enjoy each other’s company. We become friends.
True friendships come in all shapes and sizes. There is a chipmunk on my property that wants to be friends with my cat. This has gone on for several years now and my cat Chloe is completely bewildered by the chipmunk’s attention. Chloe really doesn’t know what to do with this brave and crazy chipmunk.
Imaginary friends can be useful and wonderful. They are easy company and listen very carefully to whatever we want to tell them.
At the Care Center, during Happy Hour, BINGO, Pokeno Club, Tea Parties, Patio Time, and other group activities, there are opportunities for residents to discover that they have common history, common interests, and a shared sense of humor. New friendships are formed, old friendships are rediscovered. Events big and small encourage real human connections.
Friendships help us feel less isolated and lonely. We can encourage each other to stay active, challenge our brains and our muscles. This helps reduce stress levels physically and emotionally. Friends listen to our concerns and offer advice based on their shared experience. As the years pass, we share common history. We can surround ourselves with a family of friends.
This month, our friendly volunteers have treated us to beautiful harp music, fun Sing-A-Longs, and even simple massages. Our amazing maintenance crew finished installing the safety fences around the patio area so we are soaking up the sun on the patio and looking forward to a fun Fourth of July and a wonderful summer.
“…For those who swept the darkness from my face with a smile. For those who exchanged my burdens for their heartfelt joy and never sought a better bargain. For those whose love and laughter gave me wings and a blue sky. For those I cannot thank enough in this lifetime or the next. For my friends.” – Bradley Trevor Greive