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A Simple Mistake… A Great Loss

Baseball Game

Do you remember the Baseball World Series of 1941. It was an unforgettable contest between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Yankees. Let’s revisit that time.

The Yankees won the first game of the series by a score of 3-2. Brooklyn returned the favor in the 2nd game with a score of 3-2. The Yankees took the third game 2-1. In the 4th game, the Dodgers were ahead 4-3 at the top of the 9th inning and looked like they would tie the series. The Yankees had two outs and Tommy Henrich was at bat with three balls and 2 strikes. Henrich swung at the next pitch but missed the ball. This should have ended the game, but the Dodger catcher, Mickey Owen, dropped the ball. It hit the heel of his mitt and rolled toward the Dodgers dugout. Henrich ran to first base before Owen could retrieve the ball. Next at bat was ‘Joltin Joe’ DiMaggio. The Yankees scored four runs in the final inning and won the game 7-4. This gave them a 3-1 lead in the series. The next day in game 5 the Yankees beat the Dodgers 3-1 and won the 1941 Baseball World Series. Some attribute the Yankee win and the Dodger loss to that moment when Mickey Owen dropped the ball. Though he lived to 2005 he could never get away from that fatal mistake in the 1941 World Series. The New York Times obituary was titled, “Mickey Owen dies at 89, Allowed Fateful Passed Ball.” Even in his death he could not escape the results of his 1941 game 4 error.

Some trace the origin of the phrase “dropped the ball” to Mickey and this event.

Often we are all like Mickey Owen. How many dropped balls have been a part of our experience. Mistakes, though unintentional, have had damaging results. Sometimes it has been less monumental. Other times it has been catastrophic. It has been the difference between winning and losing. In some instances, the difference between life and death.

Our actions are vitally important? An opportunity comes…and goes…because we drop the ball. A relationship, once so special, falls apart because we drop the ball. A life-changing step is never taken because we drop the ball. Someone needing our help is disappointed because we drop the ball.

Baseball Game TicketFinancially, career-wise, relational and in many other areas we can easily drop the ball. It’s also true in the spiritual realm. Look at the story in Matthew 22:35-40, “Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law.’ Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.’” Jesus was paraphrasing the words from the Jewish Torah. When we consider His challenge it must be evident that we all have dropped the ball.

There is time to correct our great mistake. Admit our failure, get back in the game and play with God-given energy what lies before us. We never know when our series may end so let’s be all that God wants us to be. We can begin now to be more focused, to be on top of our actions, and to hold onto the ball when it comes our way.

The words of Hebrews 12:2 can guide us: “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily entraps us, and let us run with patience the race before us.”

Till next time, Don Johnson, Kirby Pines Chaplain

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Exercise is the Key to Healthy Aging

Healthy Aging at Kirby Pines

Starting or maintaining a regular exercise routine can be a challenge as you get older. You may feel discouraged by illness, ongoing health problems, or concerns about injuries or falls. Or, if you’ve never exercised before, you may not know where to begin. Or perhaps you think you’re too old or frail, or that exercise is boring or simply not for you.

While these may seem like good reasons to slow down and take it easy as you age, they’re actually even better reasons to get moving. Exercise can energize your mood, relieve stress, help you manage symptoms of illness and pain, and improve your overall sense of well-being. In fact, exercise is the key to staying strong, energetic, and healthy as you get older. And it can even be fun, too.

No matter your age or your current physical condition, you can benefit from exercise. Reaping the rewards of exercise doesn’t require strenuous workouts or trips to the gym. It’s about adding more movement and activity to your life, even in small ways. Whether you are generally healthy or are managing an illness – even if you’re housebound – there are many easy ways to get your body moving and improve your health. {Excerpts from HELPGUIDE.org}

We are here to help. The Oasis is always open. Our equipment is user-friendly and more instruction is available if you need it. We offer exercise classes five days a week as well as line dancing. We have more than two miles of hallways and over a mile of landscaped trails outside for walking.

Our Walk with Ease program is back for the fall session; a great opportunity to begin an exercise program. Register now for the class, we will limit the class size to 15. This is what the class can do for you: Improved balance, strength, and endurance. If you have been out of the exercise habit and desire to get back, and you can walk 10 minutes, or if you are looking for an enjoyable way to exercise, this class may be for you. Register with Lavada in the Activities Office or Mary in the Oasis. Our first class begins Tuesday, September 11 at 1:30 pm in the Arts & Crafts room, and runs for 9 weeks. “Graduates” are welcome, bring a friend. Make plans to join us in September.

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Resident Spotlight: Juanita Smith

A LIFE WELL LIVED AT KIRBY PINES

Juanita Smith

Juanita Smith (née Radcliff) was crowned Miss Wayne County of West Virginia, twice during her years of high school. Today, 87 years later, that same beauty, the sparkling eyes and the beautiful smile is still seen when looking into the face of Juanita, now 101 years old! If not for the effects of a recent stroke, one could expect to see Juanita do the Charleston, the dance she became famous for after moving to Kirby Pines.

Juanita is as beautiful now
as she was back then.

On this, the 35th anniversary of Kirby Pines Estates, we celebrate the life of Juanita Smith who has lived at Kirby Pines longer than any other resident – 29 and a half years! Having good genes (her father lived to be 102) has no doubt been a factor in her longevity. However, she exemplifies the research that individuals living in a retirement setting tend to live longer. Juanita’s eyes light up when she remembers the good times she has had while living at Kirby Pines. While her husband Charles was living, the couple captured the dance floor as they reportedly were the best Charleston dancing couple in Memphis, or, maybe the world. She enjoyed teaching other residents how to “hula-hoop”. She also enjoyed line dancing, Tai Chi, all kinds of games, the puzzle table and most of all just socializing with her friends.

Juanita and her husband, Charles, moved to Memphis in 1984 to be near their daughter, Linda. They made the decision to move to Kirby Pines in February, 1989 and entrenched themselves in the activities of Kirby Pines. They placed their church membership at Central Church.

So, what was life like for Juanita, growing up in a small community of West Virginia? Born on October 10, 1916, Juanita was one of nine children. She remembers her childhood as a happy time although times were difficult for the family. Work was scarce but her father was able to find three to four days of work each week on the railroad. Her mother canned all summer and Juanita remembers her favorite was the pickled corn and the sauerkraut available in the winter months. Her mother was a loving and compassionate person, always setting up a table on the back porch and placing food there for the “hobos”. Christmas was always a big event. All nine children received a gift, the girls always getting a doll with “a big, hard head”.

After finishing high school in 1934, Juanita worked briefly in a dime store and a beauty parlor. However, her father insisted she live at home and discouraged her working outside the home.

Charles and Juanita
Charles and Juanita in
the fall of 1987

On April 14, 1938, Juanita married Charles Smith. Charles worked as a presser in a glass factory. West Virginia is well known for its “glass houses” and beautiful glassware. A year later, Juanita gave birth to her only child, Linda. Juanita’s lifetime career centered around being a mother and homemaker.

Today Juanita Smith resides in the Gallery Manor at Kirby Pines. Her husband, Charles, died in 2007. Her daughter, Linda Sprague lives in Memphis in another retirement community. In addition, Juanita has two grandchildren, two great grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Her grandson Jonathan and his wife Connie, visit Juanita often.

Juanita loves to have company and reminisce about the good times at Kirby Pines. She enjoys all of the entertainment programs that are provided in The Manor. She especially looks forward to the visits of her great-grandchildren from Florida.

Hopefully, we will all remember the important date of October 10, 2018, when the big 102 will be celebrated!

All in all, a life well-lived and remembered.

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Keeping Your Mind and Body Active

As we get older, the deterioration of the mind and body is unavoidable. It’s just part of the aging process. Some people, however, experience more severe symptoms of aging than others do. No matter how healthy your body is, your mind can still begin to have those “senior moments.” If you want to keep your mind healthy as you age, you have to keep it active. For seniors, staying active can not only help to prolong life, but it can offer a better quality of life as well. With exercise, the two go hand-in-hand. Whether you want to become more physically active or more mentally active, staying active, in general, will help both your body and mind feel energized and engaged.

Keeping ActiveHere are a couple ways to keep your mind and body active. Move your body. As mentioned before, exercising is not only good for your body, but for your mind as well. Exercise is a social activity for many, especially with all of the group exercises that are provided. This helps one stay motivated and engaged in the activity. Exercise also improves your mood by releasing mood-boosting endorphins, which can help lessen the feelings of depression. Exercise increases mental capacity, and physical activity has been directly linked to slowing the process of mental decline. When you are physically active, every part of your body, including the brain, receives more blood flow. Blood flow encourages cell growth. Exercise also improves healing. The healing process takes longer as we age, but exercise can help. Active adults have wounds that heal as much as 25 percent faster than those who do not exercise.

Eat Well at Kirby PinesEat well. Proper nutrition is incredibly important for seniors, for both physical and mental health. If you’re not eating enough of the proper vitamins and minerals, the lack of nutrients can affect brain function. If you’re not eating enough calories, you will have less energy with which to use your body and brain. Make sure you eat well – healthy and regularly. Engage your senses. Using all of your senses really helps exercise your brain in a variety of different ways, so try to use all your senses as much as possible. Stop to smell the flowers – literally – or try to pick out the ingredients of food by their smell.

Keep learning. You’re never too old to learn. Learning new things will help keep your mind active and sharp. Challenge your brain. Challenging your brain is extremely important to keep a sharp mind. Instead of just learning, you should also be challenging yourself to exercise your knowledge and problem-solving skills. Sleep well. For people at any age, sleep is essential for proper mental functioning. Be sure to get enough sleep at night, and make sure it’s quality sleep, too.

As you can see, there are plenty of simple ways to keep your mind and body active. It is interesting to know that the body and mind go hand and hand. Now as you exercise or do any of the activities above you know that you are keeping your mind and body active.

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Kirby Pines 35th Anniversary

I Love Kirby Pines
For our 35th Anniversary, we asked our residents to tell us what they love most about Kirby Pines.

The response was tremendous, so take a look and see what your neighbors have to say about your community!

I love the feeling of family and having many good friends, however, I love most of all the opportunity to re-invent myself through all the various activities available at Kirby Pines.”
– Joan D.

From the minute I moved into Kirby Pines it became a very special home to me.”
– Nita H.

I love Kirby Pines because of the wonderful people here, staff & residents.”
– Patty R.

I love the feelings of safety and security as I enter the gates, knowing that I am among those who care about me.”
– Gail W.

As new residents we have found lots to love about Kirby Pines- the beautiful lake and green space, the social activities, Friday night music in the lobby, security; but most of all the people, the staff and residents who are kind and caring making Kirby Pines a wonderful community.”
– Walter & Sandra O.

I love Kirby Pines as its employees are friendly, warm, pleasant, good-natured, offering a variety of activities, good food making, it’s a great place to live!”
– Bob F.

I love mealtime. The food is delicious. I don’t have to cook or clean up. We get to enjoy the company of others.”
– Marilyn M.

I love the comfortable feeling of home with security and friendships, medical care, activities and excellent food and dining service.”
– Nell M.

You can read plenty more quotes from our fabulous Kirby Pines family in the September issue of The Pinecone.

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Happy Anniversary 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 time to celebrate Labor Day. September for Kirby Pines is significant because it is the month we celebrate our anniversary.

Thirty-five years of service to senior 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 three elements make up the team that allows Kirby Pines to rank among the largest and more successful lifecare retirement communities in the country. To celebrate this thirty-fifth anniversary, much work and effort has been put into this year’s Lighting of the Lake ceremony. Each year a theme and color is selected; the theme of this year is forward, and the color is coral. Both the theme and color are certain to add a feeling of warmth within our hearts and a smile to everyone’s face. Coral is said to signify wisdom and nurtures development. Perhaps that is why it is the traditional color and gift for a 35th wedding anniversary.

The theme “forward” represents the future for Kirby Pines and the mission of service to retirees. Recently I came across this saying:

It takes strength to be firm
It takes courage to be gentle
It takes strength to fit in
It takes courage to stand out
It takes strength to stand still It takes courage to move forward”

Happy Anniversary, Kirby Pines!