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Blog archive

November 2024

October 2024

ARBORIST WALK: NOT FOR TREE HUGGERS ONLY!
10/29/2024

Bill Wishner: Visual Hunter
10/29/2024

Can a Village Group Fix Our Healthcare System?
10/29/2024

Community Board Directors Strengthen Village Board
10/29/2024

Connecting with Village Connections: The A, B, C, & D’s of Medicare @ 65+
10/29/2024

Grief is a Journey: Two Paths Taken
10/29/2024

Message from the President
10/29/2024

Promoting Informed & Involved Voters
10/29/2024

What Will Be Your Legacy?
10/29/2024

1619, Approaching the Election...
10/27/2024

Beyond and Within the Village - A Star is Born
10/17/2024

Happiness by Priscilla Leonard
10/11/2024

Those Winter Sundays by Robert Hayden
10/11/2024

Unpainted Door by Louise Gluck
10/11/2024

In the Evening by Billy Collins
10/10/2024

Wild Geese by Mary Oliver
10/10/2024

Betty Kilby, A Family History
10/01/2024

Betty Kilby, A Family History
10/01/2024

Betty Kilby, A Family History
10/01/2024

September 2024

August 2024

1619 Wide Ranging Interests
08/19/2024

1619 Wide Ranging Interests
08/19/2024

First Anniversary
08/19/2024

Alexandra Leaving by Leonard Cohen
08/16/2024

Muse des Beaux Arts by W. H. Auden
08/16/2024

The God Abandons Antony by Constantinos P. Cavafy
08/16/2024

Ch – Ch – Ch –Changes
08/15/2024

Cultural Activities Team offers an ‘embarrassment of riches’
08/15/2024

Engaging in Pasadena Village
08/15/2024

Future Housing Options
08/15/2024

Message from the President
08/15/2024

There Are Authors Among Us
08/15/2024

Villagers Welcome New Members at the Tournament Park Picnic
08/15/2024

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas
08/14/2024

A narrow Fellow in the Grass by Emily Dickinson
08/13/2024

Haikus
08/13/2024

One Art by Elizabeth Bishop
08/13/2024

Poem 20 by Pablo Neruda
08/13/2024

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
08/13/2024

Trees by Joyce Kilmer
08/13/2024

July 2024

June 2024

May 2024

Emergency Preparedness: Are You Ready?
05/28/2024

Farewell from the 2023/24 Social Work Interns
05/28/2024

Gina on the Horizon
05/28/2024

Mark Your Calendars for the Healthy Aging Research California Virtual Summit
05/28/2024

Meet Our New Development Associate
05/28/2024

Putting the Strategic Plan into Practice
05/28/2024

Washington Park: Pasadena’s Rediscovered Gem
05/28/2024

Introducing Civil Rights Discussions
05/22/2024

Rumor of Humor #2416
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2417
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2417
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2418
05/14/2024

Springtime Visitors
05/07/2024

Freezing for a Good Cause – Credit, That Is
05/02/2024

No Discussion Meeting on May 3rd
05/02/2024

An Apparently Normal Person Author Presentation and Book-signing
05/01/2024

Flintridge Center: Pasadena Village’s Neighbor That Changes Lives
05/01/2024

Pasadena Celebrates Older Americans Month 2024
05/01/2024

The 2024 Pasadena Village Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
05/01/2024

Woman of the Year: Katy Townsend
05/01/2024

April 2024

March 2024

February 2024

January 2024

Bridget Brewster Discovers Village Benefits

By Bridget Brewster
Posted: 06/04/2023
Tags: bios, bridget brewster

Village Life: A New Villager’s Perspective

Bridget Brewster

I was invited several times to become a part of Pasadena Village . . . I politely declined.  Why? Well, my thinking was this: I don’t think I want to be with a bunch of ‘old people’ who probably talk about the ‘good old days’ or the various aches and pains of aging.   I want energetic conversations, not nostalgia.

Well, let me tell you, the day I finally attended a Meet Me at the Village session to learn a bit more, my erroneous assumptions flew out the window.  I couldn’t have been more wrong in my unfounded judgement (my mama always told me to explore before judging).  The people around the table were energetic, enthusiastic and forward-thinking individuals who are living life, not just getting through it.

The mission of the Pasadena Village (which, by the way, is a national movement) is to foster vital independent living in a spirit of mutual support, enrichment and inclusiveness.  Well, friend, it’s not possible to do this alone or without commitment to create community.

I became a Villager in spite of the fact that I’m not a ‘joiner’.  What I’ve discovered is that becoming a Villager, although there is an annual fee in order to support the important and necessary work, it is not a transactional commitment.  Becoming a Villager is, at its core, becoming a part of a vital community of individuals who want to be part of my life and growth and be with me on this journey of aging.

As independent as I am at the age of 73, I’m smart enough to know that I may not always be so independent, but I won’t be alone for any part of this aging process.  I will be supported and encouraged by Villagers with whom I participate in an astonishing number of activities.  Oh, yes, I have family close by, but they’re my kids, not my peers. In every village, family has a role and the rest of the villagers have a role . . . they complement each other, but both are vital for a joyful, fulfilling journey.

I’m so grateful I overcame my reluctance to learn about Pasadena Village.  My life is already richer, happier and busier than I could imagine.  I hope you will take time to explore who we are and how you will be part of our ever growing and always exciting community. 

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