Margaret Gillon, Mutual 12 ….

Margaret Gillon, Mutual 12

My parents taught me to love books. I became a computer programmer because my strong reading skills enabled me to learn intricate computer languages. For six years, I also owned a book publishing company.

Sixteen years ago, I began dating Carole Damoci, and four years later, we married. Carole is a bookworm equal to me. Some of our happiest weekends are spent at home reading together. We rarely read the same books—I’m into nordic Noir mysteries and she’s into romances. By the time we were married, we had learned how to be alone together, to sit in a quiet room for hours at a time with our noses in books, reading.

Our reading has changed this year. As well as fiction, we read about COVID-19 outbreaks, vaccination trials, online communities, how to cope with restlessness, and new ways to stay in touch with the friends and family we miss so greatly.

As we read our way through the COVID shutdown, I am thankful that I am married to a bookworm who loves to read as much as I do.

Kaye Huff, Mutual 7

How grateful I am to have my home here in Leisure World during such a challenging season. As I learn a whole new way of life, I realize how many folks here bless my life and encourage me each day, starting with Pastor Bruce Humes and my faithful church family. Having my niece Cookie and her husband, Paul, move to Leisure World has been an inexpressible joy. Even after 16 years, Jojo Weingart and my hula ohana (family) give life so much meaning as we continue to learn and practice and make new friends.

The challenges of these days have shown me what thoughtful special neighbors and other dear ones are nearby with their many acts of kindness.

Sure it’s different, but I’m reminded of what’s really important and how this community and the people who are put in my path daily help to keep my faith strong.

Sharon Jacobs, Mutual 1

After spending a year in the Peace Corps in Jamaica at age 57, I returned home in 2010 with a profound appreciation for my country, health, family and friends. Every day since my return I repeat the following mantra as I exit the shower: I’m thankful for the air I breathe, the water I drink, the food I eat, the country that I live in and for the love, health and support of my family and friends.

These were all the things I took for granted prior to my year in Jamaica. There I experienced poverty, pollution and food deprivation. I missed my family, friends and country terribly, and I vowed never to take for granted my privileged life in the U.S. We are truly lucky to live in America. This Thanksgiving and every day, I give thanks.

Dave LaCascia, Mutual 4

With the restrictions due to the coronavirus, many activities have been curtailed or eliminated. Fortunately for me, I still have my car, my night vision and my driver’s license. But seriously, my family, my health and good friends are what I am most thankful for. Additionally, I have a wonderful partner, Liz Meripol, who is caring, upbeat, has a healthy family, and keeps me sane even though she regularly kicks my butt in Cribbage.

I am most thankful that my family and relatives are all well and thriving even during this lunacy. They work hard at trying to keep it “normal.” My two daughters and their husbands are actively working, plus contributing to their employers and circle of friends. My four grandchildren, ages 13, 11, 11 and 8, are energetic, determined, and surviving the learning/outside activity limitations that have been imposed by the state and counties.

I am also thankful that no one close to me or my family has contracted COVID-19. My thoughts go out to anyone who has lost a friend or loved one because of the pandemic.

Joanna Matos, Mutual 2

It might sound trivial to say I’m grateful for my knowledge of technology for the eight months of COVID-19 lockdown, instead of acknowledging my family and friends—they already know that for the past 90 years. Any time and anywhere, my cell phone, tablet and computer have been there for me to communicate by text, messenger, WhatsApp, Facebook, email, camera, photo gallery. I’m connected to friends in Australia, Japan and London, family from Indiana to Oregon, and Leisure World. I have learned Zoom lessons via my computer from Joe Osuna and Miryam Fernandez. I listen and see live LW Community Church services on Facebook each Sunday. I can be entertained by YouTube. I was interviewed by email for an article in AAA’s Westways magazine. Thanks to technology, I saw my great-grandson born in Portland, attended a wedding and sent this message of thanksgiving for my weekly newspaper in Leisure World—ahhhh, the wonderful world of technology. Jeanne Haislett, Mutual 10

This year I am thankful for so many things, extra time spent with my husband, being able to work from home to help our veterans and, need I forget to say, an abundant supply of toilet paper!

But there is one special person that I am thankful for, one who I admire for her dedication and perseverance during these challenging days. She is Diana DeGrave, our mail carrier in Mutual 10. She is a seasoned postal worker and qualifies to live in Leisure World. She has been a carrier for 35 years and often works long hours, sometimes as late as 10 p.m., wearing her mask and head lamp while pushing her overloaded cart.

She was happiest when delivering my mail-in ballot. No matter how tired or how late it is, Diana always greets me with a positive attitude, and, I assume, a smile under her mask. Thank you, Diana, for delivering the mail through rain, sleet, snow and the pandemic.

Joan Rose, Mutual 12

When I think of all we have gone through this year, I was at first hard-pressed to come up with something I was thankful for. This year, we have had to deal with the terrible pandemic, civil unrest, brush fires burning thousands of acres and destroying thousands of homes, and protest marches, all coming at us along with a volatile presidential election. But then I thought, first and foremost, that I should be thankful that I am fairly healthy and I am still walking around. Oh, yes, I am very thankful for that.

But I would have not done well in this pandemic if it had not been for the care and concern of my wonderful daughter, Sharon. She is my lifeline to the world, and we talk every day by text. She worries if I sound sad or depressed, and she tries to cheer me up. We play Words With Friends online and sometimes Scrabble, and she is always interested in what I am doing. Since I am fairly well sequestered in my house, she orders groceries for me, comes over to see me a few times a month and always wears her N95 mask while around me, so that I will remain safe.

She has a busy life aside from worrying about me. She works for a local police department as a community representative, hosting events to foster relations between police and the public. She raises money for Canine Companions for Independence, a national organization that trains dogs to be caretakers of people with disabilities. Sharon has always been a joy to me, and we are very close. She has always been there for me, including the sad time I lost my dad in 1980, and 20 years later, when we went through the wrenching months of losing my mom.

Five years ago, Sharon was there for me when we lost my oldest daughter, Bonnie, to ovarian cancer. She was a rock, and I know she hid her tears from me. I couldn’t have gotten through that difficult time without her help and support.

Her love and caring nature for me and for her family is amazing and wonderful. I am so lucky that Sharon chose me to be her mom and for this, I will always be thankful.

Sue Saraf, Mutual 15

I have lived in LW just one year. The first thing I did was join the Hui O Hula Club.

When I walked in, I was greeted with a big “Aloha!” Kaye Huff came over to me and introduced herself, and I was struck by her grace and elegance. She had such beautiful posture, and her hair was beautifully coiffed. Jojo Weingart, our “Kuma” (hula teacher), had a big smile and the enthusiasm of a first-year college student.

I felt pretty awkward among these pros, but they were both so very patient and generous with their knowledge and the accessories that I needed for the class.

In between classes, they would sometimes stop by just to say hi. Then COVID-19 hit. Out of nowhere, a box of goodies showed up on our door.

We had puzzles and exotic cookies, flowers in a vase. Jojo! There were so many more displays of kindness from both Kaye and Jojo. For this, I am grateful. Leila Claudio, Mutual 1

Writing about giving thanks in this time of COVID-19 is a challenge, to say the least. It is so easy to overthink on negativity, to dwell on what we don’t have as opposed to appreciating what we DO have. I wanted to get back to basics. What is essential to me and what am I grateful for? I am thankful to God for giving me my life and health, that although I am older, I’m still able to utilize the gifts He’s given me—the use of my arms, legs for moving, heart for loving and a brain that’s still thinking.

I appreciate my son and my sisters, who are there for me throughout life’s twists and turns. And I feel blessed with the many things we are able to do here: my choir Zoom class; exercise classes, hobbies like reading and walking in the many parks surrounding us; the art and myriad other classes we can partake of through Zoom and Facebook; and the ability to give back giving by calling friends to make sure they’re OK. How fortunate to have these abilities. How wonderful that there are skills I can still learn and behaviors I can still improve upon.

Fred Wind, Mutual 12

Thoughts of Thanks—A Poem

Saturday morning. Wilma’s phone rings. Well, not actually rings— it’s a kind of growl combined with the sound of gargling/choking/swallowing a handful of morning pills. Insistent. Demanding.

“Hi, Mom, did you mean garden beans or canned green beans?”

Linda, our daughter-in-law, is shopping at Ralphs. Every week Wilma texts her a list of groceries.

Linda shops and delivers.

Musical growl and gargle. “Hi, Mom, is this the rice you wanted?”

Modern technology—Linda posts a picture.

“Yes, please!”

Growl-gargle. I silently curse the day Wilma discovered ring tone settings. “I’m on the way. Meet you in the parking lot.”

Mask. Fitbit. Hat. Shoes. Glasses. Hearing aids. Granny cart. We get our weekly groceries. We are so thankful for Linda. She helps us out cheerfully. Never complains. Gives freely of her time and effort. Back to the apartment. Put away the groceries.

Growl-gargle. “Do you know your car warranty has expired?”

Aaarrgh!

Leila Claudio is thankful for a weekly class on Facebook livestream for free called the Search for Zealous Art.

Margaret Gillon’s pet shmoos love reading as much as she does.