I still feel like a spring chicken.

I turned 87 this Spring and honestly, minus the getting around a bit slower, still felt like a spring chicken. All the family came over for my birthday celebration – all 27 of them. It is always great when we all get together, but it really makes me miss my sweet Anne. We lost her 2 years ago this harvest.

Soon after my birthday, my daughter called a family meeting to discuss my what seemed to be my declining health – to her anyway. But in reality, she was right. I hadn’t been eating well since Anne died. Heck, some nights I wouldn’t eat at all. I get so tired of those darn microwave dinners.

So, since I don’t eat regular meals, I have dropped some weight. I didn’t really notice that 126 lbs was not enough weight on a 6 foot man – but my daughter did.

It was also apparent that I’d forget to take my medicine or even get one filled some months. Daily tasks like laundry and keeping the house and grounds were becoming a chore too, (on me and them). So the kids gave me some information about Mulberry and took me around for a tour.

It was close to home and provided me the freedom to still be independent, but helped with things like cooking and cleaning

I hated to leave the farm, but the thought of having friends close by as well as not having to worry my kids about how I was doing – was what made the choice a bit easier on me. Besides, I wanted it to be my choice, not a have to.