Your Sense of Belonging:
Generous Spirits, Careful Planners

The people who’ve already decided on The Stayton share a number of common qualities. They’ve been active in the community and want to spend more time giving their diverse talents to others. They’re passionate about the arts, which makes living at Museum Way such an exciting opportunity. They’re socially responsible: Living in the ultimate “green” environment is a point of pride for them. Above all, our future residents have been successful planners throughout their adult lives. The Stayton’s steady progress coincides with their own plans, so that they can make a smooth, unhurried transition to sensational senior living when doors open in late Summer, 2011.

What’s on the minds of new members of our community?

Mary Sumner is a former editor at Doubleday Publishing Company and public information specialist at the National Association for Retarded Children.

“I thought I wasn’t ready. It felt like a sign of giving in, a public admission that I was growing old. I’m not ready, I told myself. (Ah, the ego.)

“On the other hand, however, a few weeks ago it was the swarm of bees trying to get inside the chimney. Although I was grateful for his services, a few hours with the bee man caused me to miss an important appointment. And the bill was, quite frankly, more than I’d planned to spend on bees.

“Before that, what I thought was a small plumbing problem two days later turned into a dug-up front yard and a new water line. (‘When you sell your house,’ the plumber said, ‘you can tell prospects that you have a new water line.’ I don’t know what kind of selling point that will be, but it’s true. I do have a new water line. Not exactly what I’d dreamed of.)

“After more than 30 years together, my house and I are still on good terms. Still, there are many things I want to do that don’t include waiting for the plumber, the bee keeper, the painter, the appliance delivery truck.

“I’ve come to the conclusion, however, that it’s time for another move. A move to The Stayton. I’ve decided that maybe it’s not that I’m so old, but that I had old ideas about retirement living.  From what I’ve heard, my future neighbors at The Stayton want what I do—the freedom to enhance lives of volunteering, of service to our community, of making memories with people we love, of travel—with no waiting for the bee man, or replanting grass around a new water line, or shopping and waiting for the delivery of appliances. 

“We’re looking forward to making new friends, fine dining, on-site exercise facilities, great views, maintenance-free living, enriching activities, a less cluttered life. We’re moving forward to The Stayton.

“With this move, I can devote more time to my passion of helping homeless persons through Room in the Inn and through my church, the city, and other organizations. I no longer think of it as ‘giving-in.’ Living at The Stayton will provide me so much more freedom, which will ultimately benefit the people I try to serve.

“I’ve been a Charter Member of The Stayton for some time, vacillating between yes and no, but now I’m emotionally, mentally, really ‘in.’ I’m ready. And I can’t wait for this next exciting move.”

Margaret Hare is an SQLC Board Member and a resident of our sister community, The Buckingham in Houston.

“The ‘what ifs’ of seniors living alone are forever a concern. The constant worry about household emergencies or personal health emergencies is always in the back of our minds and in the minds of our children. Most of us would rather make the decisions for ourselves, while we can, than have someone else, such as our children, make them for us.

“This is not an ‘old folk’s’ home. This is independence with safety. For the first time we can travel, take classes, read all the books we had planned to read, play bridge, learn Mah Jongg, paint—you name it. If we are on a trip we don’t have to worry about the house, the sprinkler system, or any of the other ‘what ifs.'”