Celebrate Life!
Merci Izquierdo-Whitaker
Residents’ Council President 2022-23
The Colombian novelist Gabriel García Márquez once said: “It is not true that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old. They grow old because they stop pursuing dreams.” We all have something that we wanted to do but never had the time or the chance to pursue it. Now we have the opportunity. I have tried to learn or do something new every day, no matter how insignificant. I invite you to do the same. Make a new friend, learn a new game, join a club, read to someone with low vision, or learn how to swim. We tend to live in the “I will do, so and so, later.” We leave everything for later, as if later was the best time to do whatever, forgetting that what’s gone is gone, never to be found again. Life is short and life ends later. Don’t let “later” rule your life.
Getting too old; what do you mean? Nearly four years ago, my husband David and I moved to this wonderful and vibrant community. We were excited about the many clubs and activities available to enjoy. Soon we engaged in a whirlwind of activity, first as Eucharistic Ministers at our beautiful Our Lady of the Angels Chapel and then as Dining Ambassadors. Withing months, I agreed to run for the Residents’ Council. I lost, but I won, being appointed as Assistant Chair of the Dining Committee when a one-year vacancy occurred in the Council. I won the next election, served as Chair of the Health and Wellness Committee, then as Vice President and now President. Had we waited for later to move in, we would have lost all the time and fun we had getting to know you and learning new skills.
My theme for this year is “Celebrate Life!” The fact that we are alive is amazing. Let’s continue celebrating life to the fullest harmoniously and joyfully, here, our home for life!
Merci Izquierdo-Whitaker
September 1, 2022