SUCCESS comes in a CAN not a CAN’T
My husband Larry and I moved into Lenbrook this spring, and we are amazed at how fast Lenbrook has become “our home.” I’ve always been about “finding the best fit” because I have spent 30+ years helping high school students find their best college fit. (Missy was the head of College Counseling at Woodward Academy in Atlanta for 25 years.)
When we started considering retirement communities, I said to myself, “I can do this.” It’s just like looking for a college: research and visit. Analyze what you do or do not like. We scrutinized 10 places before Lenbrook. We really liked several others, but as soon as I walked in, I knew Lenbrook was our best fit. Initially, we were most delighted with the breadth and depth of so many activities. There is no way to participate in every offering on any given day.
After five months, if we have to choose what we like the most, we love the people of Lenbrook. Everyone has led such interesting, vibrant, difference-making lives, and each brings amazing insights and stories. Conversations are interesting, spark discussions, and sprinkled liberally with laughter, acceptance, and friendliness.
It is easy to get involved at Lenbrook. During aerobics class one day, someone asked if I would help with a big Lenbrook event, and I said, “Yes, I can.” Two leading doctors from the Mayo Clinic were coming to talk about Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. She needed greeters and campus guides to help the 300+ guests. It was fun to help, and I was so proud of Lenbrook for putting on such a first-class, beneficial program.
Next, someone asked me to recruit a few volunteers for a special Sunday dinner event. One of our residents had requested Lenbrook have the Varsity deliver dinner on a Sunday night. I said sure, I can do that. That’s when several of us realized we needed a system to match up any willing resident with the plethora of events at Lenbrook. And the ‘Can Do’ group was born!
For now, I post upcoming events in need of some volunteers, what type of help is needed, and when and where we will meet. Residents can call, email or put a note in my “cubbie” about what they want to do. I match them up and arrange the logistics for getting it done. I’m sure we’ll tweak the Can Do system as we get better and better at it. In the meantime, our Can Do-ers are having fun helping others!
Daily I am reminded of Lenbrook’s amazing sense of community; everyone truly cares about and respects each other. We look out for one another. We don’t really think of age. With humility and humor, we share life together.
Missy and Larry Sanchez met after college at Fort Polk, Louisiana, between his two Vietnam tours with the 173rd Airborne. She graduated from University of Arkansas, and Larry from Oregon State. Missy says Larry was bigger than life just like Tom Cruise in “Top Gun” when they met in the officers’ club. The Sanchez’s adult daughter as well as their son, his wife and two grandchildren, live 15 and 13 minutes from Lenbrook.