“Ain’t done yet!”
By Steve Walker
For over nine years I have been writing, “Just a Thought”
and “Ask the Judge.” I will be adding a new dimension, columns that focus on “Ain’t done yet.”
In talking to La Prensa Texas VP Yvette
Tello, she suggested I write about living at Madison Estates where I am now a
resident. That sounded good to me.
Having been a resident for over two
months, I have seen a lot, heard a lot, an experienced a lot, which has been
interesting. When my wife, Linda informed me were moving to Fredericksburg Road
at Madison Estates, I reacted like many who moved in long before me. “Moving to
an old-folks home? Well first they say it
is not an “old-folks home,” but an “Independent Senior Living” facility. Ok I
will go with that. But I must point out that many people like myself, don’t see
the difference.
Madison Estates is a beautiful compound
with five floors and many amenities. Walk down any corridor and the walls are
tastefully decorated with beautiful pictures of scenery and historical
significance. Tenants are encouraged to display some of their personal artwork.
What has amazed me is how many different
activities are offered at my residence. Of course there is bingo, arts and
crafts, entertainers performing, and the like. Every Sunday they have an Ice
Cream social. Boy does that bring out people to include younger family members.
Movies most nights are shown in the
vestibule in front of the dining room where many activities are held every
night to include clowns, impersonators, singers and healthcare providers. Every
Friday morning the driver on call takes those who signed up to various field
trips. I went on one of those trips to the Quadrangle at Fort Sam Houston,
because I had served in the Army on a short tour there. Granted it has changed
a lot I still had fond memories of my service at Fort Sam in the 70s.
Recently I had a fall in my apartment and
the EMS had to come and take me to the VA’s Audie Murphy emergency room. As
luck would have it, Madison Estates was only a few blocks away. 12 hours later
I was back in my apartment with a few bumps.
Then there is the dining facility where
we are served three meals a day with good wholesome food. My wife doesn’t have
to cook but she does on occasion. It is her choice. In fact she has been
recruited to participate in a chili cook off. She says she plans to win the
cook off!
I almost forgot we have a king size pool
for residents and grandchildren and other family as well. We have church
services on Sunday, Bible studies, cleaning services once a week,
transportation for residents who need to go to doctor’s appointments or
anywhere they need to go to include the grocery. You can’t do better than that
if you ask me.
By the way, don’t forget, moving to
Madison Estates is a positive decision because we “ain’t done yet!”
Steve Walker is a Vietnam Veteran, former Journalist and
Justice of the Peace
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