Turkey & Trimmings &

GIVING

THANKS

2020 has been a year of unbridled sacrifice as COVID-19 has ripped through the country, tearing apart families, traditions and the very foundations of day-to-day life. Yet, amid the grave emergency that has gripped American life, there have been glimmers of hope: compassionate kindness, determination to see it through, and courage to embrace new ways to protect yourself and others. Today, your LW neighbors and friends join you in giving thanks—regardless of the storm outside.

Jojo Weingart, Mutual 12

Here in Leisure World, my husband, Joe, and Hui O Hula had been my life. On March 16—the day before our hula club’s 15th anniversary and two months after Joe passed—the GRF declared a total lockdown. Suddenly I was left with nothing to do. I was overwhelmed. I had not been living by myself since college decades ago, and I was mourning Joe with my hula family and working out at the gym daily. Alone during the isolation, I slowly realized how these perilous times were actually giving me a chance to face the challenges of being a recent widow and fending for myself. I learned to reflect and ponder, became an “adult” and tackled independence. It’s been a milestone. I am therefore grateful on this Thanksgiving, even while my future is uncertain in this now unfamiliar world.

I’m further thankful because GRF has reopened some activities to encourage our overall health. I am staying active again outdoors. Also, endless gratitude to my mentors, including the ones who give me financial guidance, teach me golf and show me how to enjoy fine wine. Inside this Leisure World bubble, I am thankful to be healthy, safe and blessed with caring friends as well as neighbors. Adriannne Rosenfeld, Mutual 14

2020 has been hard on everyone, but could have been a lot harder and caused people to be deeply depressed, if it wasn’t for the people in Leisure world who stepped up and took up the mantle of teachers and entertainers to keep residents busy.

While it is true that all the amenities have been closed, I am thankful for the Leisure World residents who took the initiative and shared their expertise on Zoom classes: Fred Carpenterteaches an iPad class; Miryam Fernandez teaches Spanish and technology; Joe Osuna and Joseph Valentinetti host a Saturday cocktail zoom; and Rabbi Galit Slater gives Zoom services.

I’m sure there are many, many more. Thank you to all for giving the time and energy to prepare interesting and fun Zoom sessions every week to teach us old dogs new tricks and keep our minds active.

Thank you to LW Weekly for posting all these classes in the newspaper, so all the residents can know about and join these classes. Beverley Bender, Mutual 17

I have learned there are two things that help me get through the hard times: Laughing with my laughing-yoga mentor Robert Rivest (find him on YouTube), and thinking about all the things I have to be grateful for at this time.

I have a notebook by my bed, and every night I write three things that I am grateful for that day. If you do that for 30 days without repeating anything, it will change your life. It is too easy for me to complain, but when I think about all the things I have to be grateful for, it changes my attitude from sad to glad. I have many friends and family who I love and they love me. I have a home and a warm bed at night. I can take a hot shower in the morning. There are people around the world who don’t have a bed or hot water.

I live in a community where people listen to the scientists and wear masks to avoid getting COVID-19. My daughters are responsible and independent women. They even want to visit me once in awhile.

Thanksgiving is my favorite because it is a holiday about being grateful, not about presents. When we had large family dinners, before starting to eat, we would go around the table saying what brought us joy that had no monetary value. While many of us will not be able to spend Thanksgiving with family and friends, we still can share with each other on Zoom or the phone why we are grateful even in these difficult times.

I’m especially grateful that I became a certified laugh leader. I love encouraging people to laugh for no reason.

It’s the best stress release. Laughing is a joy that no amount of money can buy. When I forget to practice what I preach, I go to Robert Rivest (see above) and always feel better. I am grateful to all the people in my life, and I know times will get better again.

Ethel Carter, Mutual 2

I am thankful for my family and thankful for my God who created the beautiful Yosemite Valley where my family vacationed for many a summer. In the photo, circa July 1941, members of my family are posing in front of Yosemite’s famous drive-through tree in the Wawona Grove.

Anna Derby, Mutual 5

The first time I celebrated Thanksgiving in this country was almost 40 years ago. I was curious but reluctant about what it would be like to have a whole big turkey with all the trimmings. I had my doubts, but it was delicious, and I haven’t missed a single Thanksgiving turkey dinner with my dear family since.

I’m thankful that GRF Board and Mutual Board members volunteer their precious time to take care of businesses for this community. Every day, I am thankful that I am living my retirement in this wonderful oceanside place that has nice neighbors and friends who have become a second family.

I am thankful that the Golden Age Foundation sponsored a project to make and give away face masks when our community was in need. More than 55 volunteers responded to our desperate calls and made 5,000 face masks.

On a personal note, I’m thankful that my parents instilled in me a humility and a desire to be kind to others, to be considerate, to be optimistic.

I’m thankful to them for showing me resilience, determination, compassion and the tenacity to try until your last bit of energy to see what you can achieve in life.

Thuy Do, Mutual 14

For everything that has happened in 2020, I still have many moments this year that I am grateful for. My beautiful daughter was able to celebrate her wedding at the beginning of the year. It was a blessing to be able to celebrate with my whole family, which coincided with my first grandson’s first birthday.

I am also grateful because I was able to answer the call for action. My daughter, who is a doctor, told me there was a shortage of protective masks at the end of spring. With the support of the community here in Leisure World, we were able to create thousands of masks and distribute them around the country to hospitals and military bases.

This year has been a chance to slow down in a hectic world; the extra time has given me the chance to connect more with more friends and family, as well as take time for myself and be able to dedicate more time for prayer.

This year has been interesting for everyone, but my family and friends have kept allowing me to stay upbeat and realize how lucky I really am. Debbie Fudge and Sylvia Uselton, Mutual 1 Grateful? Oh, yes, we are! Who would have ever thought when each of us moved into Leisure World at different times that either of us would find another same-age woman with so many similarities? We have both lived without electricity, have pulled water in a bucket from a well and chopped kindling. We are grateful that we found each other in Leisure World. So it just seemed natural for us to write together about what we are most grateful for at this time in our lives.

No. 1 for both of us: We are grateful to live in a safe, protected community.

Next, we are both grateful for our health.

Sylvia is particularly grateful that her health permits her to be of service to her neighbors who are not as fortunate. We are both grateful for the health of family members.

Debbi is very grateful for her life, as on Oct. 29, 2020, a drunk driver lost control of his speeding vehicle, hit the median curb, went airborne and landed like a space ship coming out of the sky right in front of Debbi’s car, causing a head-on collision.

“And the Lord our God lifted me up and said, ‘Here is your life back.’ Praise God from whom all blessings flow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Thuy Do is grateful for the chance to help her physician daughter

by making masks for her hospital and others around the U.S.