Michael Escamilla, Executive Director

Summer is officially here! Even without a calendar, the higher temperatures we are experiencing let us know summer has arrived. During these hot days, it is important to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the heat for long periods, and, above all, have a sense of humor. Humor can make these hot days more bearable.

Summer is associated with picnics, vacations, barbecue, watermelons, fresh peaches, and family gatherings. Summer is also associated with long hot days and nights, known as “the dog days of summer”. Just as staying inside, drinking iced tea and eating ice cream can help keep you cool in the summer, a pleasant outlook can always help to keep you “cool”. With this in mind, allow me to share with you something that a friend recently sent to me:

Smiling is infectious;
you catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too.
I passed around the corner
and someone saw my grin,
When he smiled, I realized
I’d passed it on to him.
I thought about that smile,
and then I realized its worth,
Single smiles, just like mine,
can travel round the earth.
So, if you feel a smile begin,
don’t leave it undetected.
Let’s start an epidemic quick,
and get the world infected.

I hope this brought a smile to your face, and that you will keep that smile going by sharing it with a friend. Remember when the day or night is much too hot for your comfort, soon, very soon, the temperature will be changing. Why not begin by helping me honor my friend’s wish and smiling the summer away.

Happy Father’s Day! It’s that time of the year again when we should stop and recall all that our father’s taught us. Like how to be truly thankful and what it means to be a real friend; the importance of integrity in everything we do; and the simple things that can make you and those around you happy.

Be grateful – when people make time to write thank you notes or letters of gratitude to people who have helped them in some way, the note and letter writer, both feel better afterward.

Be optimistic – people who spend time just thinking about an ideal situation, report increased feelings of well-being.

Count your blessings – people who write down three good things that have happened to them show a significant boost in happiness.

Use your strengths – one study asked people to identify their greatest strengths and then try to use that strength. For example, someone with a good sense of humor can try telling jokes to cheer up friends.

Commit acts of kindness – As it turns out, helping others is one of the best ways we help ourselves feel better. Maybe it’s time you asked Cheryl Grimes how you can volunteer at Kirby Pines.

This Father’s Day, I’m grateful for all my father taught me; optimistic that each day can always be better; happy that I can count more than three blessings; believe that one of my strengths is writing these short letters each month; and knowing that each day when I come to work at Kirby Pines at least one resident is going to help me with a simple act of kindness – a smile.

Happy Father’s Day!

It’s that time of the year again, when we take time to salute all mothers with a good old fashion picnic and cookout that includes games, a fishing rodeo, animals to ride and pet, face painting and lots of food. The second Saturday of this month, May 12th, our park-like grounds will be filled with the laughter and love that is generated whenever individuals come together to enjoy family and friends. So whether you’re meeting with other residents under the big tent or have an area under the trees for twenty family members, be sure to let the front desk know you will be attending our annual Mother’s Day Cookout.

It was ninety-eight years ago, in 1914, that Congress passed legislation designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. The idea to create a day to honor our mothers is believed to have been first held in 1907 at the request of Anna Jarvis, who asked her church to hold a service in memory of her mother. Anna Jarvis’ simple request to her church to honor her mother remains one of our country’s most celebrated day. Mrs. Jarvis did more than just honor her mother, she reminded us all that we need to make time to honor the women who raise us to be good children, good adults and good citizens.

Some say the predecessor to what we celebrate today as Mother’s Day, was the ancient spring festival dedicated to the Greek goddess Rhea and Roman goddess Cybele, who were known as the “Mothers of the Gods”. However, no matter when you believe this day was first observed, Mother’s Day is a tradition everyone can celebrate at Kirby Pines.

So, make plans to attend our annual Mother’s Day Cookout. This festive occasion is like no other in the Memphis area, and is just one more reason Kirby Pines continues to be voted the Memphis Most!

Happy Mother’s Day!

The theme for this year’s Annual Employee Banquet – “May I Help You?” – was meant to recognize job expectations, the services we provide each day of the year and our mission statement.

Kirby Pines has a long history of providing services to senior adults, to their families and to our employees. Similarly, our residents do also. The thousands of volunteer hours worked by residents in various groups at Kir- by Pines provide services that would otherwise be limited. For example: some provide entertainment in all areas of Kirby Pines; others help both residents and employees with their service in the Blossom Shop; and yet others give their time to assist those who are not feeling their best – by going to the grocery store for them or getting their mail. And still others volunteer at area hospitals, food banks, cultural events and churches – thus in their own way answering the question, “May I Help You?”

Over the years we have come to know what it means to help or serve you and, in turn, you have come to find new ways in which we can help and serve; such as providing a wheelchair accessible van, Wi-Fi and culinary bakery delights in the Bistro. We think
at Kirby Pines

of our residents and employees not just as customers, but as members of our family, and this allows us to enhance our service to each one.

Kirby Pines distinguishes itself by going beyond customer service – by offering one another hospitality. What is the difference you ask? Service is a skill and hospitality is an emotional connection to the customer. Simply put, great service means that the food arrived on time, was hot and had great flavor; but great hospitality leaves you with a feeling that our staff was on your side and that the Night of Exquisite Cuisine was memorable.

As we draw near to our thirty-fifth anniversary, rest assured that we are here to help and serve one another.