Happy Older Americans Month! We’ve got some great things planned to help acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of older Americans to the Upper Valley. The themes for this month all have to do with exploring the rewards of getting older and making new connections. Everyone chooses to age differently, and we’re here for you all.
May is also Mother’s Day! I thought I’d tell you a little bit about my mother. She grew up in rural Missouri, one of 10 children. Her parents were farmers, and from the sounds of it, a very boisterous family. She suffered from an illness when she was an infant that left her permanently deaf. Being deaf has never stopped her from chasing her opportunities and dreams, though! As a child she attended a boarding school for the Deaf in Missouri, and then went to college at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf in Rochester, New York. At the same time, my dad was studying physics at RIT. He had an interest in interpreting, and they met while he was learning sign language. The rest is history! They live over in the Champlain Valley (on the New York side, go Yankees!). Hopefully they can come to lunch sometime to meet you all, I tell them often how great Bugbee seniors are.
I’d love to hear about your mothers and grandmothers and great-grandmothers! Feel free to pull me away from my desk or write an email or letter. One of my favorite things about the Bugbee community is the vast experience collected under one roof, and how willing you all are to share your stories with us.
On Memorial Day, the Center will be closed to mourn US military personnel who were lost while serving in the armed forces. When we come back, we will be welcoming people into the back garden to celebrate the new planting season. The garden also makes a great place to quietly reflect on life, remember our loved ones, and enjoy being outside. Summer will be here soon! Thank you for being part of life at Bugbee.
Mark Bradley
Executive Director