| Throughout the years working in the elder care | | | | Seeing what I believed to be a sparkle in his eyes, I |
| industry, I have had the good fortune to meet a | | | | asked, "Do you play?" He responded "my whole life." |
| handful of people who have positively impacted my | | | | Seizing the moment, I asked Rudy if he would play a |
| life on both a personal and professional level. These | | | | song for me and he readily agreed. As he |
| "life" lessons have changed my view on my own | | | | approached the piano, he asked what I would like to |
| "golden" years and the true meaning of the "quality | | | | hear and my request was "Some Enchanted Evening". |
| of life". | | | | As he sat on the bench and lifted the keyboard |
| One person that stands out the most is my beloved | | | | cover, he transformed before my eyes. Head high, |
| Rudy. He and his long time companion Helena, after | | | | shoulders back, he began one of the most beautiful |
| spending the previous 40 years living in an apartment | | | | renditions of the song I had ever heard. As the |
| in NYC in a neighborhood laden with crime and | | | | glorious music filled the community, Rudy drew quite |
| danger, reluctantly agreed to move to a senior living | | | | a crowd that day and every day thereafter for the |
| community after much pressure from both their | | | | entire eight months he lived with us. He passed away |
| families. Their home had become a virtual prison, | | | | in his sleep one night. Finding a list of songs next to |
| complete with bars on their first floor apartment | | | | his bedside, that he was to play that day, I took |
| windows and multiple locks on the door. Neither Rudy | | | | great comfort in knowing he died doing what he |
| nor Helena had been able to leave their home | | | | loved to do. |
| unescorted for several years. | | | | For many of today's seniors facing the prospect of |
| My first encounter with Rudy and Helena was the | | | | moving to a senior living environment, the mere |
| day they moved to the senior living community | | | | mention conjures up visions of nursing homes from |
| where I was working at the time. Quiet and sullen, | | | | yester-year. Perhaps they had a parent, other |
| they both appeared frightened, tired and resigned to | | | | relative or friend who spent their last days in a facility |
| living in "a place like this." Helena noticeably the | | | | that was cold, sterile and known as a place where |
| younger of the two, seemed to take the lead. Rudy | | | | people go to die. Convincing your loved one |
| appeared to be a shell of a man as he held his | | | | otherwise can seem nearly impossible. However, look |
| partner's hand tightly and shuffled along through the | | | | for the "magic" keys such as a well stocked library; a |
| tour of their new home. | | | | community garden; bible group; or a creative writing |
| As we approached the main resident gathering area, | | | | club to assist with opening their minds. |
| also known to most as the "piano room", I was | | | | This experience also taught me the importance of |
| somewhat relieved knowing that our tour would end | | | | developing and maintaining hobbies and interests early |
| here. As we entered, Rudy suddenly stopped and | | | | in life, as they may be what bring us the most |
| gazed for several minutes at the beautiful white | | | | comfort in our older years. |
| grand piano that was the focal point of the room. | | | | |