Moving out and moving in sounds like an easy process, and my moving from the Bond Home to Ridgeland Place had only one minor problem. Still, there are boxes to unpack, but I am getting help from my dear friends. Once everything is located and in place, I will consider this beautiful place my permanent home. I have been at Ridgeland Place only two weeks, but I do love it!
Ridgeland Place is a senior living community housing some 65 residents. This beautiful building is located just off Pear Orchard Road. The monthly fee covers everything. The only expense you might have is a haircut. Otherwise, you will not need a cent in your pocket.
My first day at Ridgeland Place, I discovered something unbelievable. A person I had known all my life was also a resident. Pat and I grew up in the very small Delta town of Pace. She was my next-door neighbor. We started the first grade together and finished high school together. It had been 50 years since we last saw each other.
Pat and I went in different directions. She married and had five beautiful daughters. Her husband was in the military, so that took them from Delaware to California. One of Pat’s daughters lives in a nearby town. She drops in on her mother often. I went to Ole Miss for a couple of years, then the Korean War started, and I wound up in the Far East in the Air Force.
At the moment, Ridgeland Place is in remodeling mode. First, the dining room is completely closed. Workers assure us that a new eating area will appear in about two weeks. All things in the dining room have been moved. This means that now your meals are brought to your apartment, so that means you use your dresser top as your table as you serve yourself and eat. Sounds crazy, but all is well.
The daily devotion at 9:30 a.m. is a basic part of my life. There is a visitor speaker each day. The Word of the Lord comes out very clearly, as each speaker says, read your Bible, memorize verses, but do not stop there, become active and spread the Word. Hope each of you will do just that.
The Junior League of Jackson came to visit with the residents of Ridgeland Place on Thursday and what a huge surprise. The League, made up of some 35 ladies, were all dressed in dark, with smiles, formed a semi-circle in the dining room and brought the most beautiful song and dance show outside of Broadway.
Once the leader asked “are you ready,” there was an hour of (continuous) music and dance. The group had chosen 50 tunes and hits from 50 Broadway shows. Snippets of the songs and hits were melted together so music and dance never stopped for a solid hour. No doubt, this performance was the best I have ever heard outside of a live show on Broadway. These tunes and dance were so beautifully coordinated. The person or group, who puts this show together, fall in the genius category.
The group is better known as “Joyful Noise” - WOW! What a great show! Joyful Noise goes out each Thursday to nursing homes in the Jackson Metro areas to sing and dance. Come back to Ridgeland Place, as soon as possible!!
Please read John 3:3.
Walter Redden is a Northsider.
