The Connections Bridgewater Somerville Edition November 2020

SENIOR LIVING theconnectionsnj.com PAGE 40 The Stocking Stuffer We play Santa, while you visit relatives We will stuff, hang, and arrange stockings on the mantel, just like Santa normally does. Give us an hour and we will bring you Christmas! www.stockingstuffer.com It was an extremely hot Sun- day afternoon in May of 1999. We sat in the bleachers at Lehigh Uni- versity, where my younger daugh- ter, Emily, was following in the tradition of my husband, Bruce and older daughter, Allison, don- ning her cap and gown as a Cum Laude Graduate. Suddenly, the air kicked up and a helicopter landed on the field behind the one where the Graduates were sitting. Out stepped Katie Couric, one of the most well-known journalists and commentators in the industry at that time. We were privileged to have her as the Keynote Speaker and her appearance added to the joy and excitement of the day. Katie, looking very impressive in her honorary cap and gown for the occasion, told the Graduates to look to their parents with grat- itude for all they did to make this day possible for them. And then, with not a sound to be heard in the bleachers, told the Graduates to look to their Grandparents, the Greatest of all Generations, and thank them for their sacrifices, their efforts, the war they fought to keep us free. Without their de- termination and grit, our world would look very different. My in- laws were sitting next to me that day, and I was grateful to have them with us, grateful that they were recognized, and grateful to show our pride. It was a memory I will never forget. My own parents had long been gone, but I shed tears for their sacrifices, as well. I tell you this reflection be- cause Covid 19 has seriously challenged those who are left from that generation. My father- in-law has since died, and now all of our concern is for Eleanor, our Mom. She is truly like my mom, and I care about her and worry as if she was my blood. My husband, sister-in-law and I make a trium- virate where she is concerned… all in at all times, whatever she needs. Eleanor, like thousands in this country, has been in her room in a facility since March. Fortunately, she is at the Chelsea in Warren, where Farrah Molfetta has man- aged the impossible…keeping the residents safe and content for the past 5 months. They are fed their three meals and snacks each day, checked on and if desired, taken outside for walks around the property, their isolation made as positive as possible. It is rather overwhelming to think about life in one room, albeit an attractive one. What the residents are able to grasp, remember, understand and accept is questionable. But they are, as always, treated with dignity and patience, or she would not remain there. The in- credible thing to me is how able to just be, are the residents! They are strong and tough. They do not whine and get angry, at least not our Mom. They accept and do what needs to be done, de- spite how they must feel wearing a mask they do not even under- stand is important. They deserve the title of the Great Generation, and as they leave, we will lose their strength and wisdom. None of us knows how much longer Covid 19 will be a concern, and where it will end. We are all praying, waiting and preparing for the day we can sit together, as we have countless times, and share a meal. It was always won- derful to pick her up and watch her enjoy herself over a delicious meal, reminding her we had just been to Café Figaro, so she could share the name with her friends over cards. For now, we reserve a shady space for a visit and wear our masks, throw Covid kisses and love back and forth. We review names and events so she smiles with the memories. Instead of taking her out for dinner, we bring her cookies and goodies she en- joys in her room. Most of all, we remain hopeful this will come to an end. We learned to be hope- ful from this generation that lived through so much… always remain hopeful, and we do! GREATER THAN GREAT, THIS GENERATION S enior c orner It is rather overwhelming to think about life in one room, albeit an attractive one. What the residents are able to grasp, remember, understand and accept is questionable. But they are, as always, treated with dignity and patience, or she would not remain there. And then, with not a sound to be heard in the bleachers, told the Graduates to look to their Grandparents, the Greatest of all Generations, and thank them for their sacrifices, their efforts, the war they fought to keep us free. Without their determination and grit, our world would look very different. By Ellyn Mantell S C It s tr l t - ft r i f . s t i t l rs t i i- rsit , r r - t r, il , s f ll i i t tr iti f , r l r t r, lli , - i r r t . l , t ir i li t r l t r t r itti . t st ti ri , f t t ll- j r li t t t r i t i tr t t t ti . r ri il t r t t r r t j it t f t . Katie, looking very i r i i r r r f r t i , t l t r t t l t t ir r t it r t- it f r ll t i t t i i l f r t . t , it t t r i t l r , t l t r t t l t t ir r r t , t r t t f ll r ti , t ir ff rt , t f ht t fr . i i t r i ti i , our world l l iff . i l i i , I f l t i , l i , l s r ri . It s ry I ill v r f r t. y r ts l , t I s - c s Co i s s ri sl ll t s r l ft fr t t r ti . f t r- i -l s si i , ll f r r is f r l r, r . is tr l li , I r t her an rr s if s s l . , sist r-i -l I tri - ir t r i r ll i t ll ti , t r . l r, li t i t i tr , i r r i f cility si c rc . rt t ly, s is t t ls i rr , r rr lf tt s - t i ssi l k i t r si ts s f c t t f r t st t s. r f t ir t r ls s s , if sir , t tsi f r l s r t r rt , t ir is l ti s sitive as possible. It is rather r l i t t i t lif i r , l it ttr ti . t t r i t r l t r , r r, r t t i ti l . t they are, as always, treated with i it ti , r l t r i t r . i - r i l t i t i l t j t , r t r i t ! r tr t . t i t r , t l t t r . t t t , - it how they t f l ri t r- i i . r i l f i , l , ill l i i . l i ill , i ill . ll i i i i i , l i l l rf l t i r t r j r lf r li i s l, r i i r j t been to Café Figaro, so she could r t it r fri r r . r , r r space for a visit and wear our , t r i i l f rt . r i t il with the memories. Instead of i f r i r, ri kies and goodies she en- j i . f ll, i f l i ill t . l l i i li l i l, ! It i r t r r l i t t i t lif i r , l it an attractive one. t t r i t r l t r , r r, r t and accept is questionable. , l , i i i i , l not remain there. , i i l , l l to their Grandparents, ll i i ifi i they fought look very different. GREATER THAN G THIS GENERATIO By Ellyn Mantell Donna Levinston Braff is a well-respected lawyer with a reputation for providing high-quality legal services in the following areas: • Divorce Law & Adoptions • Wills, Estate Planning, Probate & Guardianships • Municipal Court & Juvenile Delinquency • Real Estate & Commercial Leasing • Physician Contracts • Severance Agreements • Mental Health Advocacy Call us For a Free ½ Hour Consultation 908-725-3000 or for more information, visit us at www.BraffLaw.com Over 30 Years of Diversified Legal Experience 575 Route 28, Suite 202, Raritan, NJ 08869