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Carma's Commentary (Village Voice Excerpt)
 Carma Wall |
How do you put a value on the things you have done with your life? If a group of people were surveyed, I’m sure a few would say it should be measured by the amount of love that was shown. Others might say it is established by faith. Evaluating the quality of life you created for those around you would be another option.
Carter Chapman, in the movie, “The Bucket List” felt that you should measure yourself by those who measure themselves against you. Mr. Chapman’s character was portrayed by Morgan Freeman and his friend, Ed, by Jack Nicholson. People kept telling me that I should see the movie, so I finally rented it last week. In my mind, it is one of the few motion pictures capable of truly enriching your life. |
This movie is about two men who are dying of cancer. They come up with a list of things to do before their life on earth is over (kick the bucket). It makes you stop and think. What would I do today if I knew I was going to be gone within the next few months? Fortunately Ed had a whole lot of money, so he helped facilitate their plans with a private jet. Traveling the world was on their list of things to do.
Would you travel during your last few months? I traveled so much in my 20s that the lure of seeing wonderful foreign places doesn’t attract me. Living in South America, in a convent, and delivering babies in the villages was very interesting. However, there was a revolution happening at the time and I had some serious doubts about getting home alive. I literally kissed the ground after finally getting back home. A summer of study in Europe was more fun, but once was enough.
What would you choose to do if you didn’t want to travel? Sky diving, race car driving or bungee jumping might be nice. My daughter wants to do all of these things by the time she is 20. Of course my response is, “Why?” Since these things aren’t in my dreams, does it mean that I’m just an “old stick in the mud”? Perhaps. However, I prefer to say I am simply drawn to doing something more cerebral. OK-- sedentary.
Reading books and visiting with people would be attractive to me. Our chaplain recently attended a “living memorial” for his sister before she passed away. What a wonderful way to connect with other people in a meaningful way. I am always amazed at how many people I see at funerals that never came to visit the person during their last few years of life here at The Cedars. Why not “complete” the relationship with one last visit?
Carter Chapman commented (in the movie) that he always thought he’d want to know how long he had left to live if he had a terminal illness. However, after he got the news that it would be less than one year, he changed his mind. Somehow it changed everything.
If we all live our life like it is the last day, what would it look like? I would tell my family every day that I love them. I would laugh a lot more and probably eat more chocolate.
-Carma Wall, CEO The Cedars, Inc.
Mary Fruth celebrates 95 The decorated birthday cake completes a superb buffet.  Mary's family gathers for a photo.
McPherson Chamber Coffee The Wedding Cake (provided by The Cake Lady)
The Cedars Conference Center hosted the weekly "Chamber Coffee" on Thursday Jan 22, 2009. The theme of the morning was the McPherson Area Bridal and Prom Expo, also at The Cedars Conference Center on Jan 31.
Chef Dan making final preparations
Chamber members "catch up" during the Chamber Coffee
On Jan. 23, 2009 The Cedars is hosting a Benefit Soup Lunch from 11am-1pm in The Cedars Cafe. There will be a variety of soups, assorted breads & desserts with minimum $5.00 donation. Soups will be: Potato, Minestrone, Chicken Noodle or Chicken Rice, and Chili.
Also available for silent auction will be five party trays. These Meat, Cheese, & Cracker Trays will feed 25 people. Perfect for Super Bowl Sunday. Starting bid per tray is $35.00. Bids will be taken via email until Friday (23) at 10:00 am. Email akoehn@thecedars.org to place a bid. Top five bids will be given a gift certificate that must be used by 1/28.
Mable Thurman Turns 102 Daughters, Joan and Dolores, celebrate with Mablel Thurman who recently turned 102 here at The Cedars.
Spring Fling 08
Click Here for the pictures from Assisted Living's "Spring Fling 08."
Click Here for the "jail beak" photos from this year's Spring Fling!
Halloween Fun 
The Halloween Party for the Village drew several costumed and scary characters. Some of which went Trick or Treating on their own later in the evening.
Village Residents enjoy a day in the Mines 
On October 23, 2007 - 24 residents of the Village went to Yoder to eat lunch at the Carriage Crossing and shop in Yoder before going to the Salt Museum in Hutchinson. The tour was very educational and informative. The pictures show most of the group before they got into the elevator and went 650' below the surface into the mine. Hardhats and emergency breathing apparatus were the uniform of the day. A good time was had by the entire tour group.
Take a walk virtually through one of our lovely Cedar Houses. Click Here
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Links
You may find these links of interest:
Kansas
Department on Aging
... a resource for seniors and families of Kansas seniors
U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services
... how to find help for elders and their families
Medicare
... find comprehensive information on Medicare
Cannylink
... geriatrics and aging ... a variety of topics
New
Lifestyles
... questions you should ask when selecting any type of
elder care, whether a retirement community, assisted living
facility or nursing home
Angelfire
... what to look for in a nursing home and questions you
should ask
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