Michael Escamilla, Executive Director

Well we are about to start another month in the midst of Covid-19 and we have all learned how valuable real friends are during this pandemic.

So many friends came to our aide in volunteering to open the Blossom Shop, and to make hundreds of cloth masks for the community. Others did grocery shopping for their neighbors, or delivered packages to them; while others sent cards to fellow residents in healthcare. Cheryl and her team developed a new walking club and started off with sixteen teams; plus they added movies to our in-house television station as well as live performances. Don Johnson devoted time to providing staff with a morning prayer over our Nortel system and delivering words of comfort to residents on live TV. The fact is everyone at Kirby Pines is a true friend to one another.

In May, we traditionally hold our huge picnic in celebration of Mother’s Day, but as I write this article, we still don’t know if Covid-19 will delay this event as it has with so many others. However, I do remember my mother giving me all the things I needed to know to survive this pandemic. I bet your mother did too.

Lessons learned like, “wash your hands, you’ve been playing with the dog” and “wash your hands, it’s time to eat” and “I don’t care if you washed your hands just a little while ago, go wash them again!”. And remember, “Don’t get too close to those strangers” and “cover your mouth when you cough” and of course, “wash your hands, you just coughed into them when you covered your mouth”.

Happy Mother’s Day mom, and thanks for just being you. After using my keyboard to type this article, I’m off to – you guessed it – wash my hands.

Michael Escamilla,
Executive Director,
Kirby Pines

Happy Easter! Peter Cottontail is certainly busy around Kirby Pines this year. From hiding eggs, to bringing smiles to us all as we confront the Covid-19 virus, Peter is doing his very best to bring Spring to us all.

Spring is the perfect time to start thinking about exercise and outdoor activities, and living at Kirby Pines provides you with many opportunities to enjoy both. If walking outdoors is a favorite past time of ours, you’ll enjoy a comfortable stroll around our very own nature preserve. In fact, at this time of the year, while walking along the path you will see daffodils, redbud and dogwood tress blooming. Kirby’s sixty acres make for a very scenic walk that other retirement communities just don’t have.

If you prefer walking indoors, you can do so in place on one of the treadmills in the Oasis or in the shallow end of the indoor pool. When using any equipment in the Oasis, be sure to let staff know so that we can quickly wipe it clean after each use. After all, we all need to participate in keeping the Covid-19 virus out of our campus.

Not to be outdone by Peter Cottontail, our culinary team is planning a wonderful Easter Brunch. One filled with traditional glazed ham and yummy deviled eggs. And won’t it be fun to see a few specially decorated Easter Bonnets during the brunch as well!

Your safety and that of our employees and guests remains our highest priority this Easter season. We take pride in delivering all that we can during this difficult time in the United States and in fact the world. We believe it is challenging times like these, that the power of a united team of residents and employees is needed most of all.

Happy Easter everyone!

Michael Escamilla,
Executive Director,
Kirby Pines

March – in January it seemed so far away, but in February it appeared to be so very near and now here it is. A month filled with the excitement of spring and all the wonders of nature that spring brings. A walk around our manicured campus reveals signs of spring in every courtyard and along the nature trail encircling the lake.

Thursday, March 19, 2020, is the first official day of spring. What a great way to move into the month following the “wearing of the green” on St Patrick Day. Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow last month, so we can be assured that warm weather will be here in March. That is of course if you believe that a groundhog can predict the weather.

Beginning in March some of you may be rethinking your New Year resolutions – however, with warmer weather, there is no reason not to stay true to more exercising by walking outdoors, or joining the garden growers or going with other residents on-site visits for the new Curiosity Series.

Spring is definitely here. So get ready for a joyful month of springtime festivities at Kirby Pines

Michael Escamilla,
Executive Director,
Kirby Pines

Happy Valentine’s Day! This is the month for all of us to let those special persons in our lives know just how much they mean to us. As well as to reminisce about receiving something special from a “secret” valentine and how wonderful that may have made us feel. Well, this tradition goes back for centuries.

February 14 was originally dedicated to two ancient martyrs named Valentine. Valentine of Rome, who suffered martyrdom about AD 269. He was a priest and doctor who is said to have treated patients even if they could not pay. The other was Valentine of Terni, who in AD 197 was named bishop of Interamna (modern Terni), and suffered martyrdom during the persecution of Emperor Aurelian. However, far more prominent historically is Valentinius of Alexandria, an influential Gnostic teacher and a candidate for Bishop of Rome. In his teachings, the marriage bed assumed a central place in Christian love. While European countries celebrated Valentine’s Day for centuries, British settlers most probably imported it to North America in the 19th century.

The first mass-produced valentines of embossed paper lace were produced in the United States in 1847, in Worcester, Massachusetts. Their creator was Ester Howland who took her inspiration from an English valentine she received, and her father sold her creations in his book and stationery store. Her valentines were meant to be given to “one’s true love”, and for many years in the United States these were the only individuals that exchanged valentines. By the early 20th century, valentine cards were being exchanged among family members and soon to friends. The practice of exchanging cards was extended to all manners of gifts in the Untied States in the second half of the 20th century.

On this Valentine’s Day, whether you are giving or receiving a Valentine, I hope this little gesture makes you feel wonderful all year long. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Michael Escamilla,
Executive Director,
Kirby Pines

This January, we can celebrate not only the new calendar year 2020, but also the Chinese Lunar New Year 4717 – the Year of the Rat. Unlike western calendars, the Chinese calendar has names that are repeated every 60 years. 2020 is the year of the White Metal Rat. It is a year to make peace and enjoy life. As a White Metal year, we need to wait patiently for things to happen. It is time to prepare for the next year. Perhaps this is because the Rat year is the first animal of the twelve earthly branches celebrated in the Chinese calendars.

The Rat is characterized as being a quick problem solver, having a strong memory and a brilliant sense of creativity. Individuals born in the year of the Rat are said to be agile, active, resourceful, thoughtful, sharp-sighted and alert.

This past year at Kirby has been filled with many accomplishments, such as winning the Memphis Most Award for the 13th consecutive year, and again being named the largest retirement community by the Memphis Business Journal. Our Marketing team is on track to yet again bring in a record-breaking number of deposits and move-ins, as prospects realize the value of lifecare and all that Kirby Pines offers to our residents. We saw the start of the balcony renovation project, and of course, we continue our apartment and garden home renovations. New on the horizon is a new wellness center to be built near the greenhouse.

We can expect many new accomplishments in 2020. So please have the patience of the Rat, to wait for things to come. Wishing you happiness, prosperity, and a Happy New Year.

“Gung Hay Fat Choy”

Michael Escamilla,
Executive Director,
Kirby Pines

The Holiday season at Kirby Pines is hard to ignore. From the beautiful Christmas tree in the lobby to the decorations residents have placed on their doors, a walk around the community provides everyone with a smile and feeling of joyfulness.

Many, however, say that until you feel the spirit of Christmas – there is no Christmas. The decorations, musical events and various edible treats are all here to enhance the Christmas season, but it is the true meaning of Christmas, that truly lifts our hearts. George Adams said that the birth of Jesus Christ stands as the most significant event in all history. Significant, because as George Adams said, “…the birth meant the pouring into a sick world the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years… Underneath all the bulging bundles is the beating Christmas heart.”

Adams’ words make you stop to think about just how blessed you are. After all, we have ample food, a comfortable place to live and one another. This Christmas, for many it will not be so and for some, it can also be a day of remembrance. A day in which to think of everything and everyone they love and have loved.

This Christmas I suggest to your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example.
Merry Christmas!
Michael Escamilla,
Executive Director,
Kirby Pines

Well it is that time of the year again, when the phrase “Happy Thanksgiving” can be heard throughout the community. The phrase itself can bring up memories of family gatherings, special “secret” recipes for stuffing and the American tradition of sitting down at a table and sharing food with one another. We have after all, an abundance of things for which to be thankful.

For example, we can be thankful that fun activities and delicious meals are provided for us daily. That services such as healthcare, housekeeping and maintenance are available to us daily. That old friendships can easily be maintained and new friendships easily made. In fact, just being able to live in a LifeCare Retirement Community such as Kirby Pines is a way of thanking ourselves for years of hard work and good planning. After all, so many others are less fortunate, having little more than the clothes on their backs after the devastating hurricanes earlier this year and the more recent fires in California.

This year as you celebrate Thanksgiving, remember to be thankful for even the small things in you life. Such as the small framed photo of spouse, or family member on your nightstand; or the personal note in a greeting card you have been saving for years. It is all too easy to forget how much these small things mean to us, until they are lost or damaged. More importantly, make time to let your fellow Kirby residents know just how thankful you are that they are here to dine with you, or play cards with you or just check-in on you from time to time. Remember, Thanksgiving is more than just sharing that “secret” family recipe for stuffing; it is a time to reflect on our blessings, past and future. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Michael Escamilla,
Executive Director,
Kirby Pines

In September, we reflected on the past thirty-six years of Kirby Pines, and expressed our thankfulness for the “path” taken to make Kirby Pines, what so many refer to as “the best retirement community in Memphis”. In fact, Kirby Pines was once again selected by the readers of the Commercial Appeal as “THE BEST Retirement Community” for the thirteenth consecutive year in the tristate area; and by the Memphis Business Journal as The TOP Retirement Community for the tenth consecutive year.

Of course, these awards of recognition would not be possible if it weren’t for the individuals who live and work at Kirby Pines. And what better way to begin the month, than by acknowledging the International Day of the Older Person, October 1st. Designated by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1990, all countries are encouraged to enable men and women to age with dignity and to integrate aging issues into everyday life. Kirby Pines is a daily example of doing just this.

This month we also celebrate: October 2nd, National Custodial Worker’s Day – a day when we should all make an effort to thank the men and women in our housekeeping and laundry department for the hard work they do for us each day; October 4-10th is National Health Care Food Service Week, these dedicated employees are an essential part of our integrated services; October 20-26th is National Pastoral Care week, and we should all make time to thank our Chaplin, Don Johnson, and the numerous residents that coordinate such activities as our Men’s Bible Study group and Thursday night Vespers.

Please join me in thanking these many individuals for the time they dedicate to make a difference in our life. You can join this amazing group on October 26th, which is Make a Difference Day. After all, we all have the ability to do something small that makes a difference.

Michael Escamilla,
Executive Director,
Kirby Pines

The month of September is significant to many people for many different reasons. September marks the beginning of the school year, so for many of our retired teachers living here at Kirby Pines, it is a time to reflect back on the years of service they gave to so many students. For others, September signifies the end of summer and the last national holiday (Labor Day) until Thanksgiving. September is filled with individual birthdays, wedding and move-in anniversaries into Kirby Pines Estates. September for Kirby Pines is significant because it is the month we celebrate our anniversary.

Thirty-six years of service to older adults is truly a feat that could not have happened without the support of residents and their families, employees and our Board of Directors. These four groups make up the team that allows Kirby Pines to rank among the largest and more successful life care retirement communities in the country. To celebrate this thirty-sixth anniversary, much work and effort will be put into this year’s Lighting of the Lake ceremony. Each year a theme and color is selected, and this year the theme is Path, and the color is Turmeric. So make your plans now to join us for this celebration on Saturday, September 14th for the food and company that follows the event, and most importantly for the start of another great year at Kirby Pines Estates.

Michael Escamilla,
Executive Director,
Kirby Pines

The 36th anniversary of Kirby Pines is just a month away, in mid-September. Whether you have been a resident for ten years or just 36 days, you are enjoying first hand the numerous improvements and upgrades to the community over the past years. These improvements and our consistency in delivering services to you, has resulted in Kirby Pines being voted the Memphis Most winner by the Memphis Commercial Appeal year after year.

The Performing Arts Center is now about 17 years old and has hosted artists from our own Kirby Pines Rhythm Band to the acapella group from Yale University to the New Orleans Jazz Ensemble. The Bistro which opened three years ago to offer residents and guests another dining venue is now being copied by other local retirement communities, and our in-house movie theater continues to be a very popular spot to meet for some of the latest movie releases. Soon the Large Card Room will have new tables and chairs, much to the delight of our ever-growing bridge players group.

Of course, our new entrance off of Kirby Parkway has added to the grand lobby entrance into our community.

Regardless of how long you have been a resident, or have been contemplating a move to Kirby Pines, our upcoming 36th anniversary is possible because of the trust you and so many in the Memphis community have in us. On behalf of all employees, thank you for your cooperative spirits throughout the years, and may I suggest you make some time to relax away from the hot August sun.

Michael Escamilla,
Executive Director,
Kirby Pines