Don't be afraid of change

I have a good friend who lost her father-in-law after months of an illness. His wife was his primary caregiver, which consumed most of her day and most of her energy. After he passed and everything calmed down, she was just lost. She was left with a two-story house and a big yard to maintain.

Her family visited and helped out as often as they could, yet she was lonely. They suggested she move to a friendly new residential center, but she had more than 50 years of memories in her home. She didn't know if she wanted to move, especially at her age.

Her son and daughter-in-law decided to go check out the new place for themselves. To their surprise they saw several folks their mother already knew living there and loving it.

They made arrangements to take their mother to lunch and then to visit a friend she had lost contact with when her husband was ill. After lunch they pulled into the residential center.

During the visit she toured the center, noted the list of many activities and social events, and saw several other people she knew. She didn't have any of this sitting at home by herself.

It just so happened a lovely apartment was available down the hall from her friend. Their mom began to cry. Then through tears she said, "Sign me up!"