Blog archive
April 2024
Stimulated by "Caste"
04/22/2024
Tulsa reparations, Religion and Politics
04/09/2024
March 2024
Trumps War with Black Women
03/31/2024
Addressing The Needs of Older Adults Through Pasadena Village
03/25/2024
Coming Soon: More Resources for Older Americans, Online and in Person
03/25/2024
Community Building Locally and Nationally
03/25/2024
Preparing for the Future with Ready or Not
03/25/2024
Volunteering is at The Heart of the Village
03/25/2024
Women's Liberation: Then and Now
03/25/2024
Writing Memoirs Together
03/25/2024
Current Views on Current Events
03/20/2024
Unchained
03/18/2024
Rumr of Humor issue # 2409
03/10/2024
Blacks Portrayed by European Artists
03/03/2024
Rumor of Humor #2408
03/03/2024
February 2024
Caring for Ourselves and Each Other
02/27/2024
Doug Colliflower Honored
02/27/2024
Great Decisions Connects Us to the Worldwide Community
02/27/2024
Letter from the President
02/27/2024
Pasadena Village's Impact
02/27/2024
The Power of Touch
02/27/2024
Villages as a New Approach to Aging
02/27/2024
Addressing Gang Violence in Pasadena-Altadena
02/21/2024
Rumor of Humor Issue 2407
02/19/2024
Thank You For Caring.
02/12/2024
Rumor of Humor 2405
02/11/2024
Curve Balls
02/10/2024
Sylvan Lane
02/10/2024
Rumor of Humor 2404
02/09/2024
Larry Duplechan, Blacks in Film
02/03/2024
January 2024
Pasadena Village Joins Community Partners in Vaccination Campaign
01/29/2024
Rumor of Humor #2403
01/28/2024
Pasadena Village Joins Two Healthy Aging Resource Projects
01/25/2024
Decluttering: Do It Now
01/24/2024
Village Volunteers Contribute to the Huntington Magic
01/24/2024
Villagers Creating Community
01/24/2024
Villagers Reflect on Black History Month
01/24/2024
Walk With Ease, 2024
01/24/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2402
01/21/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2401
01/15/2024
Re- Entry Programs, a Personal Experience
01/08/2024
The Village Spirit, The Power of a Open Heart
By Karen BagnardPosted: 12/05/2020
The Village Spirit
The Village spirit is a beautiful thing. It comes in many sizes,
shapes, backgrounds and talents. It’s a spirit of comradery, an
attitude of gratitude, a sense of empowerment, a can-do
attitude and knowing the importance of finding joy in every
day.
Recently a new member mentioned to me her need for support
with caring for her partner 24/7. I just happened to know there
was a support group for such members. I put her in touch with
them and they had an immediate response of welcome.
Life can be a challenge as we age and, yet, there is still so much
life left to live and enjoy. Our challenges are all different. What
one person struggles with, another can help easily. We come
together to help make life more enjoyable and manageable for
each other. There is a team spirit that sustains us.
Humor and kindness are essential ingredients in the Village.
They say laughter is healing. I believe it is. Laughter is what
takes the hard edges off difficult situations. Laughter is indeed
a gift that can be shared. My experience in our Village is that
there are many members gifted this way and I am always
grateful for their sense of humor.
Connecting with each other, helping each other navigate hard
times and finding friendship along the way is probably the most
important benefit of Village membership.
I’m remembering a time a few years back, when a new member
joined our Village. I found her interesting and invited her for
tea. She, too, was an artist so we had much to discuss. Next
she invited me to her home and studio to see her work.
In a matter of months this member learned her cancer was
terminal. She didn’t know many members yet and was not
willing to let the Village know. I encouraged her to open up
about her situation, assuring her that there would be members
who might be of service to her. She did not want to but said it
was okay if I let people know.
Our Executive Director immediately reached out to her. I
suggested to our resident “gallery curator” to arrange an
exhibit of her artwork, which he did. Within a short time the
exhibit was hung, a reception was hosted for her and her circle
of friends and we all enjoyed her presentation and her amazing
work. Some of those wonderful pieces are now at the Autry
Museum.
This woman, who was so not interested in letting the Village
know her situation, learned how well we come together for
each other. She ended up feeling very much a part of the
Village and genuinely appreciated the opportunity to display
her work and talk about it and the inspiration that compelled
her to create it. When her will was read, we learned she had
left a substantial gift to the Village.
That was a surprise we could never have imagined. It also told us that we had truly
done well by her in her final months.
The Village is a place where we all get to be authentic. It’s a
level playing field. It’s an opportunity to meet people from
many facets of life with experiences we’ve never had. It’s also
a place to find kindred spirits who enjoy the same pass times
we do. It’s a place for reciprocity. What you get out of it is in
direct relation to what you put into it.
- Karen Bagnard -