Wednesday, January 28 at Landis Homes Retirement Community

Cousins began arriving shortly after 11:00 am for our 11:30 am appointment in the Azalea Dining Room. This room is available to us because three of our cousins live in this retirement community: Orpha, Wesley, and Larry.

By the end of this meal, we decided to come back here for our next cousin’s lunch in April. It is a very comfortable place for visiting and we can choose what we want to eat from the next-door Garden Room’s food choices (left background).

I thought it would be fun to have a photo of the cousins who were here and lined up by age. Everyone seemed to like the idea.

The spouses, a friend, and a son lined up to get pictures as well.

The oldest are in the back row, beginning with Orpha on the left, Wesley, Velma, Larry, Cerwin, Velda and Blanche. Front row – following Blanche in age: Marian, Sanford, Gerald, and John.

There could be many more – we think there are about 57 of us. However, some have passed away, others live at a distance (as far away as Vanderhoof, BC, Canada), the youngest 3rd are still employed, a few are currently ill or recovering from surgery, and some are limited to staying in their homes due to health limitations.

I also wanted a photo that included everyone who was there. Starting on the back left: Jay & Orpha, Janet & Wesley, Velma & Leon, Janet & Larry, Cerwin (I am taking the picture), and Velda. Front row and floor: Bruce & Marian, Sanford & Jean, Gerald & Lucy, John, Blanche and her son Ray.

Ray took this picture which included me.

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After we were finished visiting, Velda, Cerwin and I went to another part of the retirement community to visit our Aunt Alice (High) Ruppert. She is nursing care.

Velda (Cerwin’s sister) was with us for the afternoon. Her husband Mel was working. He and Cerwin do similar jobs for DHIA, but on different days. Mel usually works on Monday’s, but his day was pushed back to Wednesday because of the snowstorm on Sunday.

We hadn’t seen Alice for a while and were surprised to find that she is quite alert. The last time we saw her was at a funeral and seemed confused. That was probably because of all the people.

She is 98 and let us know that in two years she will be 100. 🙂 Her major limitation is her sight. She knew us by our voices. One of the first things she asked Velda was how they like living at United Zion Retirement Community. Velda was surprised she knew that because they just moved there in October.

Alice wanted to know everything about our families and told us about her family. She is a sister to Cerwin and Velda’s dad. I noticed, that true to herself, she was dressed beautifully, with a necklace, scarf, earrings and flawless makeup.

When we told her that it was time to leave, she replied, “Oh, I have so much more to talk about.” We promised that we will be back – maybe after the next Sauder cousin’s lunch in April. About the time we were preparing to leave, another friend stopped in to see her.

It was a good day!