Reflections of a Sequoias Portola Valley Resident

A guest article written by resident and author Helen Bigelow

Residents enjoy various activities and amenities that promote lifelong learning and growth. Through five key takeaways, Helen shares her insights and reflections about her experience at The Sequoias:

I made a list of five truths and reflections I have realized since I moved to The Sequoias in 2015. Here they are, in no particular order.

• I see this place as a ‘University of Courage’. Courage about human conditions nobody is immune to, such as pain, disability, loss, and loneliness. Every day, I see courage. The ageing process just naturally gives us the opportunity to develop the fine skill and gift, of courage. There are people here who are masters of courage.
• Inevitably, of course, The Sequoias is flawed-just as all of us are flawed. Many people who work here and who live here put out a great deal of effort to correct those flaws.
• Every committee I have served on here at The Sequoias has given me new friends, given me the good feeling of a big job done, given me the frustration of a job not yet completed, informed me about what makes a community tick, given me a sense of belonging, and expanded my loyalty to our staff, our administration, and my fellow residents.
• I have three daughters, 65, 69, and 71. Moving to The Sequoias was and is the best thing I could give them. Not only have I relieved their concerns and made their lives so much easier, I have relieved at least some of my fear about being a burden in my old age. But also, inadvertently, I gave my daughters a window into life at a senior living community, and they like what they see. They are now thinking ahead about their own futures.
• I never dreamed that in my nineties, I would have as much fun and so many enriching, meaningful experiences as I have living here at The Sequoias Portola Valley.

Thank you to Helen for sharing your wisdom with our community.

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