Random Acts of Kindness in Leisure World

Random Acts of Kindness Week was Feb. 10-14. Kindness is core in Leisure World as the following vignettes from your friends and neighbors reveal. Anat Ben-Aziz, Mutual 3

I helped move a sofa for my neighbor, and daily, I walk my neighbor’s 3-year-old miniature Schnauzer because my neighbor is unable to.

Gail Morrison, Mutual 2

Years ago, a mother from an elementary school near my church was taking homemade tamale orders from church members. We were to order that day and pick up the next Sunday, cash only. On the menu were beef, chicken, pork and cheese. I always had trouble making decisions and so I ordered some of each. I don’t recall how many I ordered, six or probably one dozen each. I wanted to help the family and ordered big, but I would need to be sure to go to the bank to get cash as I usually carried little cash.

As I sat in church the next Sunday, I suddenly realized that I had completely forgotten to go to the bank. What was I to do? I was standing at one of the tables set up for pick up deciding what to do when a voice said, “What is the problem?”

I turned and it was Glen, one of our elder, retired members. I told him that I’d forgotten to get cash from my bank.

Not missing a beat, he asked, “How much do you need?” By now, I was really ashamed of myself for forgetting to get cash and yet wondering why he was asking but said: “Thirty-six dollars!” Instantly, he whipped out his wallet, began counting out the tens, fives and ones, and he handed the cash to me. Stunned, I couldn’t believe it! I barely knew this fellow! I’d said hello to him, maybe, but never really talked with him.

Slowly, I took the cash, thanked him and said that I’d pay him back next Sunday. He nodded and walked away. I picked up my order from the young mother and headed home still in shock over what had happened. The following Sunday, I found Glen after church, paid him back, thanked him again, he nodded, and walked off.

Glen is gone now, and I wasn’t able to attend his memorial, but the ministers told us that Glen had specified and paid for extra desserts as he knew that everyone enjoyed a nice dessert after lunch! Dorothy Ferrington, Mutual 1

When I heard that longtime resident Ellen Brannigan was under the weather, I called her to give words of encouragement to get well.

I also wanted to tell her about how her positive attitude and energy have always been an inspiration to me. She was thrilled to hear these words.

Diane Elizabeth Patalano-Ragan, Mutual 2

I was home practicing ukulele with the door open and two ladies stopped to listen. They loved the song and clapped when I was done. I stepped outside to meet a mother and daughter who lived nearby in Mutual 2. The daughter was helping the mom walk with her walker. We shared about our love of the Hawaiian and military songs I was playing. I told her I take lessons at Clubhouse 1 on Wednesdays with my teacher Larry Yamashiro, who is from Hawaii. Both the neighbor and I previously lived and attended college at the University of Hawaii. We talked about our Hawaiian memories and all the military uniforms in Hawaii. I invited them to view my Hawaiian art exhibits. We shared our aloha.

Christina Bird, Mutual 5

When I moved here in October 2020, I met Karen, who first helped me put up my Christmas lights. I realized she was a Martha Stewart-type because she displayed her own lights successfully. Since our first meeting, our friendship has grown. She has taken me to the grocery store every two weeks and now that I no longer go, she still picks up things that she knows I would like. She buys things—teas from around the world and a tea kettle (“tea is therapy,” she says) — from estate sales for me.

My tricycle has lights front and back, a horn and tires wonderfully pumped up, all thanks to her boyfriend. They make a good team, both so helpful. She shares her extra food with me and me with her. I appreciate all that she does and I’m thankful. Susan Hopewell, Mutual 6

I wanted to let you know of an Act of Kindness by Geneva Potepan, a volunteer with the Golden Age Foundation tax program. A shareholder left her GRF ID card in Room 9 after having her taxes done. Geneva called her and left a voicemail advising her they had her ID and to return to pick it up.

Later, as tax volunteers were cleaning up and preparing to close for the day, they realized no one had come to pick up the ID card. This was Wednesday, and the tax program wouldn’t resume until Monday. Geneva did not want the shareholder to be without her ID for that long, so she took it upon herself to go to the shareholder’s unit to personally return the card.

I’m grateful for the free tax program and all the helpful volunteers. I give a special shout out to Geneva!

Chris Abel, Mutual 2

My next-door neighbor moved into her newly purchased apartment from Alabama after her husband passed away. She is very independent. At the time, I was a director on our Mutual Board of Directors. She asked numerous questions relating to Mutual rules and regulations, and I tried to explain many of these rules to help her adjust to her new surroundings and meet new friends. She had a dog, as well as a fulltime job, and asked if I could walk her little dog when she was away. She also gave me keys to her home, as well as her mailbox. And was very appreciative that I was trusted to take her mail inside; and entertain her precious animal.

Another couple, who lived opposite my unit, had decided to purchase another apartment located two doors away. They enjoyed the view of the droughttolerant “park” I designed and encouraged its beauty; also, I assisted in helping them move some of their furniture, as well as knickknacks that they wanted in their new home.

Recently, her husband passed away. And I could tell she was unhappy as she walked past my window. I asked her if she needed further help packing up some of her husband’s belongings. She mentioned she had a safe she would like to move. I agreed to help her.

Similarly, another couple moved from Florida into a unit they had owned for several years. Once a year, I would trim their rose bushes and other plants in their garden. I also renovated a metal flamingo sculpture I had lying around, gave it to them as a gift and installed it in their garden area, at a location they requested.

And finally, I met a single woman nearby who asked me if I wanted any of the plants in her front patio. She wanted them planted in the drought-tolerant park where she could watch them grow and mature. And then she would let me know if the plants I took were having growth problems. She has become a friend, and we work together watching the park grow and flower.

Bonnie Coomes, Mutual 10

A little over four years ago, my ex-husband Ken Coomes moved into Leisure World and settled in Mutual 8. Since then, we have become friends and he has helped me in both times of crisis and in times of need. He drives me to long-distance doctor appointments and is basically on call anytime I seem to need him. We have overcome feelings of distrust and anger from the past, and he has been a godsend and a friend to me.

When I had spinal surgery three years ago, he took in my dog for three months while I recovered.

He has been there when I needed him. Thank you, Ken.

In addition, I would like to thank the members here who have joined Pathways. They have been friends and people who I could trust. They helped by telephoning when I am ill or just being there for me when I need them, especially Jayne McGuiness.