When a person falls and breaks a hip – doctors can mend the broken hip, but the individual may still suffer from the emotional side effects: the fear of falling again, the sense of vulnerability, the loss of control. The break has been cured, but the person has not been made whole.
As humans, we are complex beings: unique physical bodies each with our own fears, dreams, understandings, and perceptions. Doctors have done well focusing on curing our physical ailments -whether an injury or disease, but have generally not done as well healing: affecting the emotional, mental and spiritual conditions associated with the physical ailment.
As a new practicing geriatrician hired by MCMC, Dr. Maria Tomas understands the difference between healing and curing. She knows there are times when the condition may not be cured but the individual can be supported and healed. As a trained geriatrician, she also knows how to promote wellness and preventive care through an interdisciplinary and holistic approach so older adults can maintain their functional independence. Dr. Tomas brings energy, experience and knowledge to the Columbia Gorge and you will be able to meet her and discuss the many health challenges facing older adults at the Center’s Tuesday Lecture on November 23rd at 11:00. .
It is time for breakfast at the Center, this Saturday November 20th sponsored by Cherry Heights Retirement Community. This month’s menu includes Biscuits and Gravy, Bacon, Scrambled Eggs, Fruit with the regular beverages all for $5.00. But last month after my gentle encouragement, I was surprised no one from the class of TDHS ’62 or ’64 showed up. But the class of ’63 explained the reason you won’t see anyone from the class of ’62 is because they are still in deep, deep denial and can’t accept the fact they are some distance past 40! (For the guys, you would think their waistline would give them a clue!) So to help the TDHS class of ’62 on their path to emotional enlightenment, the first two ’62 graduates who arrive for breakfast this Saturday (we are open from 8:00 – 9:30) will receive a free complimentary breakfast – plus some much needed counseling from the class of ’63. You hear that Mel, Ken and Gary?
The Center still has ten tickets left for the Sunday, November 28th performance of the “Singing Christmas Tree” at the Keller Auditorium in Portland. Every year I hear the performance is better than the year before and I don’t expect this year to be any different. The cost is only $65 including transportation in a comfortable 24 passenger bus. Stop by the Center to purchase your tickets or call 541-296-4788.
Next Tuesday the 23rd before Thanksgiving, there will not be no Tuesday Night music. But have no fear, the Center will still offer plenty of music during the rest of November. Tonight the Cherry Park Band will be picking and strumming, and on Tuesday November 30th, John Martin and Friends will return. Then in between,from 2:00 – 5:00 on Sunday the 28th, the Jammers will gather at the Center for a Sunday Pie and Jam Social. On Tuesday nights the music always starts bouncing across the dance floor at 7:00. And it doesn’t cost a thing although donations are appreciated.
A quick reminder: the Brain Health Roundtable is tomorrow Wednesday the 17th from 9:30 – 11:00 at the Center. Roger Anunsen who has spoken nationally on matters of Brain Health will be the speaker, and it should be an excellent presentation. The event is made possible by the local chapter of the Oregon Retired Educator’s Association.
It was Walden Robert Perciville Cassotto, better known as Bobby Darin, who wrote the song “Splish Splash” along with radio DJ “Murray the K” Kaufman, “who bet Darin that he could not write a song that started out with the words “Splish Splash, I was takin’ a bath”..And lucky winner of a Saturday Breakfast is Ed Anghilante. This week’s “Remember When” question is from the category: “Crimes of the Century”. As I was discussing with my mother-in-law the dangers facing children today, she mentioned as a young child she was afraid of being kidnapped because of the famous 1930’s kidnapping and subsequent trial described by newspaper writer H.L. Mencken as “the biggest story since the Resurrection”. Who was the American hero whose child was kidnapped and tragically murdered? E- mail mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or write it on back of an air mail letter from 1926.
Well that’s another wet leaf on the slippery slope of life. Until we meet again, chew before you swallow and look before you leap.
“Fear can keep us up all night long, but faith makes one fine pillow.”
