A Great Chicken Parmesan Sandwich and 30 Hello's

On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of speaking to a group of residents at Highland Springs Community about my New Years Resolution and Blog. In tow was Grayson - she hurt her ankle at volleyball practice and we had to go the doctor later in the afternoon. I knew it was going to be an excellent experience when the person I met was the receptionist whose name is Donna (there aren't too many of us) and then we met Barbara who was our host/tour guide - she is "Julie, the Cruise Director" (her actual title is Resource Coordinator). WOW....what a great group. Everyone instantly made Gray and I feel as if we were family. There were handshakes and hugs even before I spoke to them. I spoke about my "Hello Project"; my quest to meet a stranger a day, shake hands, how I decided to do this and some of the more memorable people I have met along the way. They were such a great audience that for a couple of minutes I felt as if I was talking to my own grandparents. When I finished, we had a quick q&a and I think it was Herb who asked me if I had been to a tattoo shop yet. I said, "Not yet, do you and I need to go get tattoos?" That garnered a chuckle from audience. Pictures were taken and we were invited to stay for lunch. We followed Barbara's lead and had the lunch special for the day - Chicken Parmesan Sandwich, chips and a drink. I think it was the best Chicken Parmesan sandwich I have ever had. We ate with a great group and learned about all the outside activities (ballgames, symphony, horse races), in house activities (computer classes, Bocce ball, movies), the indoor pool, the spa, the exercise room, the bank, the greenhouse, bistro, poker night, the state clubs (the Kansas club, the NY/NJ club, etc.). I want to live here, but I don't meet the age requirement yet.....have to be at least 62. We also found out that some of the residents are former big band members, a retired FBI agent, a former actress, WWII vets, artists (even one who makes creations out of bones), transplants from London, Hawaii, and almost every state in the union.

I was not smart about meeting everyone - I didn't have them write down their names. But I want to acknowledge, I truly enjoyed meeting each and everyone of you including: Bobbie, Herb, Donna, Eldora, Doris, Dick, Evelyn, Lillian, Monty, Bill, Jody, Marijo, Doreen, Trudy, Barbara, Irene, Walt.

What a great community....so many people, so many stories, not enough time in one visit and one great Chicken Parmesan sandwich - Grayson and I couldn't have asked for a better lunch bunch.