Barbara J. Hamby

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Send Her to Assisted Living, Do Not Pass Go…

At the check-out counter (10 items or fewer) in a local grocery store this morning, I remarked “I may have more than 10 items, but the only other cashier open is checking a couple out who probably have about 200.” The young checker smiled and said, “I don’t stress over the count, there’s enough stress without that.”

I shared with her how much I was enjoying retirement. She said she could hardly wait, and then shocked me by announcing, “I’m going straight into assisted living?--get my hair done regularly, have my meals cooked and served, and play Bingo.” She further remarked that assisted living homes are getting better all the time.

When I was the age I imagine she is, no such thought ever occurred to me. All my life I’ve told myself that if I ever have to be in a retirement facility or nursing home, I’ll enjoy the experience, the people watching, and my writing. (Providing I can still balance a laptop on my belly while lying in bed.) However, such a life is not my ultimate goal. Right now I’m having too much fun traveling and writing.