Acacia Creek Retirement Community (ACRC) celebrates their 90s Society (for residents aged 90 or over) with an annual lunch. Dr. Carole Silva, age 92 and an ACRC resident for 11 years, organized this year’s event which took place on June 11 with over 20 guests.
Silva was a reading teacher for 44 years, eventually mentoring other teachers. “We have scientists, teachers, secretaries, nuclear engineers, filmmakers, football players here,” said Silva, smiling. “But we all have something in common—nobody knows what day it is.”
Silva’s advice for keeping your brain in shape is to keep learning new things. She is an avid reader and book author, she organizes and plays in the ACRC bell choir, and she writes poetry.
During the lunch Silva read the following poem she wrote which won the International Society of Poets award in 2007.
Crossing Paths, Fleeting Moments
Our paths have crossed
a word here
conversation there
In passing on life’s highway.
Our paths have crossed
a social gathering
a business trip
a room of jurors
Along life’s highway.
Our paths have crossed
working together
a class in school
church or temple member
a club of interest
Riding along life’s highway.
Our paths have crossed and paralleled
old friends
daily friends
new friends
Some we keep along life’s highway.
Again, our paths cross years later
emotions rise
a connection is made
The golden thread of life when our paths cross
Former nuclear engineer, Jerry Gott, slipped into the lunch even though he is only 89—he said it was okay since he will be 90 in two months. Gott’s advice for a long life is to stay active, and he came to ACRC because they have a big indoor swimming pool. He swam and did water aerobics to stay in shape before recently breaking his leg.
Gott said Silva taught him how to bartend, which they do together for the ACRC happy hours. On the topic of inflation, Gott said in high school he won a 50% scholarship to college, and he had to pay the rest—a whopping $50 per semester.
Talking about what sustains her, resident Audrey Coulter said, “Friends are so important, and it’s important to laugh—it’s healing, and it keeps you going.”
There are plenty of opportunities for residents to make friends and socialize at ACRC. Silva said anyone can start a new club or activity group like she did with the hand bell choir.
Acacia Creek is a retirement community established in 2010 by Masonic Homes of California in the hills of Union City.
