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
Denny Mog in Touched by an E-mail, pp. 121-122, has some interesting insights for our New Year. He says, “There are two days in every week about which we need not worry.
One of these days is yesterday with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed. We cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone!
The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow, with its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise and poor performance. Tomorrow is beyond our immediate control. Tomorrow’s sun will rise, whether in splendor or behind a mask of clouds. But it will rise. Until it does we have no stake in tomorrow for it is as yet unborn.
This leaves only one day: today. Any person can fight the battles of just one day. It is when you add the burdens of two awful eternities – yesterday and tomorrow – that we break down. It is not necessarily the experience of today that disturbs one’s peace of mind. It is often the bitterness of something that has happened yesterday and the dread of what tomorrow may bring.”
Truly said! Unchangeable moments of the past and unknown probabilities of the future can paralyze us into incomprehensible inactions in the present. Dare we afford to allow what has happened or what might happen to strap us into frustrating failure in the present? Now is the time. Today is the day. This is our choice. We truly only have this moment. Whatever the Old Year may have presented or the New Year offer, we have a new start as our present moments unfold. Someone said the past is gone, the future not yet happening. Now is a gift. That’s why we call it the “present.” Let’s ask God to keep us and it in the palm of His hand and give us strength to use it wisely.
One great thing that transcends it all is mentioned in the text of Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ…the same yesterday, today and forever.”
What motivates someone to provide an act of kindness to others? Could it be the good feeling about self that is the reward? Or, perhaps it is something GOD plants in the heart of someone so that others in need can be served? The latter explanation probably best fits Shirley Anderson, who unquestionably spends many hours each day volunteering and helping others.
Perhaps Shirley’s desire to help others came about as the result of her humble beginning. The youngest of six children, her family struggled to survive. As a result of financial circumstances, Shirley was born in the John Gaston Hospital, the city hospital, on January 23,1935. Shirley remembers, “our family lived in a ‘run-down’ shack in Ellendale (suburb of Memphis). Our house burned to the ground when I was five years old and our family moved to Memphis and I have lived here ever since”. Because both parents worked, Shirley spent most of her summers at South Side Park where she became interested in many sports, including tennis which she continues to play occasionally.
Shirley attended A. B. Hill Elementary and won the school’s spelling bee contest while in 7th grade. She attended South Side High School where she was a cheerleader for three years. “I had a great time in high school and was honored to be voted Best Dancer and Most Popular Girl my senior year”.
Graduating from high school in 1953, Shirley could not afford to attend college. So, she found employment at MLG&W. She became involved in a sponsored bowling team that played at Southern Lanes. There, she met a handsome, young man who was working his way through college. The man was James William “Jim” Anderson and they were married in September of 1959. Shirley continued working at MLGW until motherhood came along. The first daughter, Leslie was born in 1961, the second, Tracy in 1962. “We got the shock of our lives in 1965 when I gave birth to twin boys, James Christopher “Jim” and William Timothy “Tim”. The doctor didn’t even know I was expecting twins. Four children in less than five years, I was quite busy for a few years” says Shirley.
Shirley and Jim Anderson
The family moved to Germantown in 1971 and Shirley remained a “stay-at-home mom” until 1975 when she became employed as school secretary at Farmington Elementary. She stayed there until the last child graduated from college. By that time the daughters, Leslie and Tracy had married and the grandchildren started arriving. Shirley’s husband, Jim, was then Superintendent of Shelby County Schools, an appointed job which he held from 1985-1997. During this time, Shirley was able to devote time to and enjoy her four grandchildren. “I did a lot of volunteering work at church and Ronald McDonald House”. Jim also liked serving others and for two years they spent every Monday morning, in all kind of weather, serving breakfast to the homeless in a park in mid-town. “I felt so blessed to be able to do this” says Shirley.
Since moving to Kirby Pines in August 2014, Shirley has been constantly busy. Not long after moving to Kirby Pines, Jim began showing signs of declining health and Shirley devoted most of her time to caring for him. Jim’s move to the health care facilities here at Kirby motivated her to see the need for her services in those areas. Since Jim’s death two years ago, Shirley has devoted countless hours to activities for the residents there. In a more public light, Shirley is currently serving on the Advisory Committee, having formerly served as Wing Leader. You can see her in every resident entertainment venue, in the Blossom Shop and transporting residents from the health areas to Vespers every Thursday night. You might see her filing music in the “music closet” or assisting with memorial services. “I’m happy to transport or run errands for anyone who needs help”, says Shirley. Such a statement comes from a true servant!
Shirley is currently a member of Germantown Church of Christ. She was baptized at age 17 and has consistently been involved in all church activities. In Shirley’s own words, “I, like most people, have had hard times in my life, but GOD has gotten me through them. I believe He always will. Since Jim’s death, GOD has led me to many great people and so many opportunities to help others here at Kirby Pines. This is a great place to live. I thank GOD for blessing me with these opportunities and for all the others who serve in so many ways”.
Shirley Anderson is certainly an example of someone with a true servant’s heart. She, like many others at Kirby Pines provide in excess of 30,000 hours of volunteer service each year. We are truly blessed to have so many residents who devote their talents to making life better at Kirby Pines and so fortunate that Shirley and her husband, Jim, decided to make Kirby Pines their forever home.
The Intellectual Dimension
The Intellectual dimension focuses on activities that stimulate and challenge your brain, helping keep the mind alert and engaged. Examples could include painting, journaling, solving puzzles and games or even enrolling in a college course!
The Spiritual Dimension
The Spiritual dimension involves finding purpose and meaning in life. This can be achieved through meditation, faith-based activities, yoga/tai chi or just experiencing nature.
The Physical Dimension
The Physical dimension of wellness emphasizes strengthening and caring for the body in order to stay as independent as possible. Implementing this dimension includes proper nutrition, regular exercise, stress management, and regularly scheduled doctor’s appointments.
The Social Dimension
The Social dimension emphasizes the importance of social interactions—spending time with family and friends, or joining clubs or group activities.
The Emptional Dimension
The Emotional dimension focuses on our ability to cope with challenges and deal with feelings in a respectful way. This can be achieved through counseling, stress management or support groups.
The Professional/Vocational Dimension
The Professional/Vocational dimension focuses on utilizing your skills—harnessing your passions and strengths to help others. Examples might be tutoring or mentoring, volunteering, or even caregiving.
The Environmental Dimension
The Environmental dimension demonstrates respect for our natural resources by choosing “green” processes including recycling and reusing goods. Another aspect is a human connection to the environment through outdoor walks, meditation or even planing a garden.
Happy New Year! The Oasis is a great place to begin your New Year’s resolution to feel better. Diet, rest, and exercise are keys to better health. Kirby Pines offers many opportunities to improve strength, endurance, balance and cardiovascular health. Our four exercise classes supported by the Arthritis Foundation include Tai Chi, Arthritis Exercise (Stand and Sit), Water Aerobics and Walk with Ease (an 8-week class that will be offered in the spring). We also offer a Yoga Stretch class. These classes are tailored to your needs and having arthritis is not a requirement to take a class.
If group exercise is not your forte, Kirby Pines has an amazing variety of equipment for a small gym to exercise upper body, lower body and improve cardiovascular functions. The Oasis is open 24 hours / 7days a week. For training to operate the equipment, make an appointment with Mary Hand at 369-7334.
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
“O Holy Night”, a favorite carol of Christmas, was the creation of Placide Clappeau, the mayor of Roquemaure, France. Clappeau, a winemaker, also wrote poetry, mostly for his own enjoyment. His minister asked him to write something special for the Christmas celebration. While riding in a carriage to Paris Clappeau penned his lyrics. He asked Adolphe-Charles Adam, a classical composer of music mostly presented in secular venues and ballets, to create the melody for his poem, “O Holy Night.” Clappeau’s powerful lyrics so greatly impressed the French composer that he created the deeply stirring music for the song. No one can question that the lyrics and music make a perfect combination for one of the all-time great songs of the season.
In 1847 this song was first presented. It became an overnight success. Later, when the French church discovered Clappeau had left Christianity to follow the social movement of his day, and also learned the music composer, Charles Adams, was Jewish, the hymn was banned. Because it was so popular with the people, who continued to sing it outside the church, “O Holy Night” grew in public acceptance and was reinstated. John Sullivan Dwight later translated the lyrics into English and it became an American Christmas carol favorite. Around the world this song has provided praise and inspiration and has uplifted Christmas celebrants everywhere.
On Christmas Eve, 1906, a Canadian –born inventor named Reginald Fessenden transmitted the first radio broadcast in history from an experimental tower in Massachusetts. Fessenden, who is sometimes referred to as the “Father of Radio Broadcasting,” read passages from the Bible and then on his violin played “O Holy Night.” When he did, he made it the first song ever transmitted over radio waves.
This beautiful carol of the season gives us many lessons. God is able to use those we may consider most unlikely to bring Him praise and honor. God can put together a team that can create something so special it will inspire and bless others globally. God can take something that some would discredit and throw away and keep it lasting and enriching.
The lyrics of “O Holy Night” present that Christmas 2000 years ago as “Divine.” It tells us what lay beyond the manger…darkness dispelled by light…despair pushed away by deliverance…sadness replaced by joy… emptiness filled with abundance…and so much more.
May you discover such a night for yourself. May this inwardly be your greatest Christmas!
Nancy and Bill Douglas have had a successful life and marriage, recently celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. As faithful Christians, they believe that the greatest achievement and joy of their lives is “having raised three Christian children who have, in turn, raised five Christian grandchildren.”
Bill and Nancy moved with their dog “Chip” to Kirby Pines in November 2017 from Germantown, where they had lived their entire married life. They first met in 1957 when Nancy’s brother invited his friend Bill Douglas to their home to meet one of Nancy’s friends. Well, Nancy decided that she was “the one” for Bill. Nancy and Bill married on June 14, 1959.
Bill Douglas was born in Memphis in 1936. He attended Snowden Jr. and Central High Schools. He graduated from Memphis State University with a degree in Sales and Advertising and went to work immediately selling real estate. He first worked in sales of houses but later worked in commercial real estate selling such things as office buildings and hotels. Bill was recognized in “The Million Dollar Club” for having sold that amount in a year. He retired at age 65 after 42 years with Cooper Realty.
Nancy Pickering Douglas was born in Germantown in 1938. Nancy says she was blessed to be born into a Christian family. Being the only girl with two brothers, she became “a Daddy’s girl”. Her father’s premature death just weeks before her graduation from high school put Nancy into a deep depression for some time. Nancy attended Germantown High School and Memphis State University for one year. However, the non-academic world beckoned and so she was hired by MLG&W to work in the Records Department. When she “caught” Bill Douglas her life “took on a happy and joyful experience.”
Following their marriage, Bill and Nancy moved to Germantown. Their first son, William, was born 1 ½ years later. Sadly, 18 months later, an infant daughter, Elizabeth Ann, died after 3 days. “God needed her”, says Nancy but she experienced another period of depression with this loss. However, one year later, they were thrilled when their 2nd son, Joe, was born healthy and happy. They were equally thrilled when a daughter, Nancy Anne, was born 18 months later. Raising 3 children was a lively but pleasurable experience for Nancy. She says “The few bumps we had were easy to resolve”. Nancy, fortunately, was able to be “a stay at home mom” which allowed her to be involved in all the children’s activities, including the PTA. A testimony to Nancy’s loving role as a mother was presented to her on her 80th birthday. A book entitled “Making Memories” contained photos and quotes of love, appreciation and remembering fun times from her children, son and daughters-in-law and grandchildren. “We always had time for family vacations as well as just the two of us. Bill’s career afforded us the opportunity to have so many wonderful trips and interesting destinations”, says Nancy.
Although Nancy was busy as a homemaker she also was very involved in the Suburban Garden Club and Germantown Women’s Club. Bill became active in the Germantown Civic Club, the Optimist Club, Leadership Memphis, the Boy Scouts and served as President and Board Member of the Germantown Horse Show. Bill coached Little League, football and basketball, involving himself in all of his children’s activities. He also loved to fish, hunt and play golf in his “spare time”. At St. George’s Episcopal Church, Bill helped start the first Adult Bible Class, served on a committee to train and direct the Acolytes and was Chairman of the Ushers. Nancy and Bill are now members of Faith Anglican Church where Bill serves as an Usher and Nancy helps with Oblations.
Nancy and Bill “Claus” Douglas
Since moving to Kirby Pines, Bill has been involved in the Garden and Ham’ateur Clubs. In 2018, Bill and Nancy took on the role of Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus in the annual Christmas Eve Program at Kirby Pines. Nancy continues to play golf frequently. Most importantly, she has quietly assumed the role as a helper to many residents who need assistance. When Bill and Nancy moved to Kirby Pines, they became next-door neighbors to 99-year-old resident, Virginia Granger. Nancy says “Virginia became one of the best friends I ever had. We loved each other immediately. She truly blessed my life”. Unfortunately, Virginia’s recent death has left a big void in Nancy’s life.
However, both Bill and Nancy have stated that their lives continue to be blessed since moving to Kirby Pines. “This is a joyful time in our lives. We have met and feel so close to so many of the residents. Now, we have a much larger and wonderful family of beautiful people. We have always loved people and wanted to help others”, say Nancy and Bill. Because of their personalities and helping nature, Bill and Nancy Douglas are a wonderful “fit” for our Kirby Pines family and are an example for all of us.
Many diseases and illnesses, including the flu, the common cold, pneumonia and bronchitis, are easily spread by contact from person to person. No one wants to catch someone else’s germs, or to give an illness to someone else. You can prevent the spread of diseases, protecting yourself and others in the process, with a few simple precautions.
Prevent Seasonal Flu: Get Vaccinated
The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season.
Clean Your Hands Often
Handwashing plays a major role in preventing the spread of diseases. According to the CDC, handwashing is the single most important means of preventing the spread of infections. Washing your hands regularly with soap and water can protect you from many illness caused by viruses and bacteria. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based handrub (wipes or gel).
When to Wash:
Overall, wash your hands as frequently as you can; however, it is essential to wash your hands at these special times:
After using the bathroom
After coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose
Before touching any food or eating
After getting visible soil on hands
After touching pets, or pet waste
After touching sores, lacerations or infected areas
How to Wash:
The following procedure will remove up to 99.9 percent of the germs that get on your hands during the course of daily activities:
Wet your hands with clean warm water
Apply soap
Rub your hands together vigorously, lathering the entire surface of the front and back of the hands, and between fingers. Rub in the soap for at least 20 seconds. (Tip: sing Happy Birthday twice)
Rinse with clean water
Dry hands briskly, and use paper towel to turn off faucet
Avoid Close Contact
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. If you see someone sniffling, sneezing and coughing, keep your distance. Many illnesses can be transmitted through the air, and you can pick them up just by breathing air that was coughed or sneezed into.
Cover Your Mouth and Nose
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or cough into your elbow. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
Avoid Touching Your Eyes, Nose or Mouth
Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or nose.
Clean and Disinfect Surfaces or Objects
Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu can help slow the spread of influenza.
Kirby Pines, a sister community of The Farms at Bailey Station, is part of the family of LifeCare Communities of Retirement Companies of America. For more information, visit retirementcompanies.com
Michael Escamilla,
The Intellectual Dimension
Handwashing plays a major role in preventing the spread of diseases. According to the CDC, handwashing is the single most important means of preventing the spread of infections. Washing your hands regularly with soap and water can protect you from many illness caused by viruses and bacteria. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based handrub (wipes or gel).
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