A Poem

By Steven Mattingly 

The daughter of a new resident of our community sent me the following poem written by her mother’s second husband. She also shared that having her mother at Pacifica “. . . makes my life so much easier and I'm happy to be with her again". It is pure joy to see her at peace and happy at Pacifica. She knows she is safe and well cared for! 

The poem is about a community where her mother and her mother’s second husband lived for several years before he died. The daughter wished that he was still around to write one for her mother’s new community. 

This is a realistic and poignant look into the world of assisted living from the viewpoint of a resident. He seems to be expressing his appreciation for those whom he encounters each and every day and the idea that while he knows life will come to an end, he is a better person for knowing those whom he names in his poem. May we all be able to make this kind of a difference in the lives of those entrusted to our care. 

There’s place for those who seek a rest - 

It’s found right here in the Golden West.

You’ll spot it as soon as you arrive 

At Eight-O-One on Island Drive.

If your pace has slowed and you’ve ceased to roam,

It’s just the place you might call “home”.

A gracious lady runs this place

And it all reflects her charm and grace.

A greeting by Cindy; then a chance to explore? 

She’ll usher you in to see David next door.

Have a quick look around; and we’ll see you later. 

Please try not to hurry our nice elevator!

There’s a typical room! It’s nice and it’s neat!

Now let’s go and see where you’re going to eat.

Three things you will find that are no surprise:

You sleep and you eat and you exercise!

And now, you’re to meet a special wee lass - 

It’s Rosemarie and her exercise class!

She keeps us all limber and balanced and strong.

Without her I’m sure we’d not last very long.

Not to worry my friend; and please don’t be afraid,

Meet the rest of the team who are here for your aid.

Aseleph hands out the pills here each day 

As she tries to keep doctors and nurses away.

And there’s Barbara and Amber and then Saba too,

All here just to do their best for you.

And then to make life just a bit more worthwhile

Martha greets all with her bright morning smile. 

The grounds are great and the place is neat, 

And we get far more than we can eat.

Now, let’s take a look at these folks of yore

Who make up the tenants - 100 or more! 

As you get to know all these people so well,

You find that each one has a story to tell. 

Lives spent in brave service for country and God.

From office or factory or paratroop sod.

On the land, in the air or on the blue sea,

They have stood in our places to keep us all free.

There’s Cliff and there’s Art and there’s Thomas and Bill 

And Charlie and Sheldon and Herbert and Gil.

While walking and talking are harder these days,

Their lives still shine through in hundreds of ways.

Few are the places these folks have not trod,

And now they’ve come home from a long life abroad.

There’s Tony and Margaret who’ve lived far away

They are golfers deluxe, and may show you some day.

Lillian’s a hiker - very much on the go. 

While Helga still touches her toes like a pro.

There’s music here too, and in flat or in sharp,

There’s Jean with her so welcome Vibra-Harp!

We all love to hear those old songs of our choice, 

And Cecilia brings with her that bright, happy voice!

Do we all have problems - did I hear you say?

I can’t even remember the time of the day.

A cane is a must, or we’d sure take a roller,

But most of us here sport a very fine stroller.

There’s a sadness here too, for we’re all getting older

And a pat feels so good on a tired old shoulder.

Try as we will to reverse this dread trend,

We know in our hearts that it all has to end. 

~Gil Dunkin