On Monday April 14th, with rain clouds threatening, Lodge residents gathered with Old Trail Village neighbors to witness a bright, new American flag and a new Virginia state flag being raised over The Lodge at Old Trail. The American Legion Post 74 Color Guard presided over the ceremony which included a 21 Gun Salute.
Lodge resident Robert Buzzard, an Army World War II veteran and a member of the American Legion Post 74, addressed the crowd with a history of this important and moving ceremony.
Ranging in age from 2 years to 90+ years, the audience joined together to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and then sang The National Anthem and America the Beautiful.
The ceremony was held to retire a previously raised flag, a gift from Virginia Congressman Robert Hurt, which had been flown over the Capital in Richmond, before being raised at The Lodge last year.
Every morning I wake, get myself ready, get in the truck, and drive the 8 miles to The Lodge at Old Trail, in Crozet. After the frantic pace of the other places I have lived, including New York City and San Francisco, it seems that driving to work has a whole new meaning.
First, and most important, I don’t consider my time at The Lodge work!
I think I have to rename what I do to… visit. Yes. I visit every day at The Lodge, and see the other wonderful visitors there as well. Not to mention the interesting people that live there. The days are consistently different, with different conversations and actions needed. The conversations are quite incredible, learning about the lives of the residents that live there. I learn not just about their past, but their present and future; their thoughts and ideas on so many different topics.
I digress, because the point of this story is really about the drive to The Lodge. The Lodge is located just outside of Charlottesville, in the multi-generational community of Old Trail, in the Town of Crozet, VA.
Crozet has its own interests and businesses, but also serves as a bedroom community to Charlottesville. It is located only 10 miles to the West with expansive views of The Blue Ridge Mountains.
Every day I drive against that traffic. I find it calming. It is the wonderful effect of the beautiful countryside I see. No matter if in snow, rain, or clear sky, it relaxes me. I drive the speed limit! How many of you actually drive the speed limit on a back road?
Maybe it is the waving that happens between drivers on these roads. I’m not sure if people wave because they think they know me, I mean, I do see them everyday behind the windshield. Or, is it that they are wishing me well, because I am driving in the other direction, the direction as a visitor not a worker. Either way, I have honed my wave to the slight move of the index finger lifting off the steering wheel pulling the next two fingers of the hand upward to a happy open palm above the steering wheel. Waving and being waved at is a full time occupation on these great back roads of Virginia. But I don’t mind the work. Actually, it is so much nicer than the single finger wave of some many city folk!
So whether you are working or visiting, think about the people that are driving toward you, and see if the back country road wave brings a smile, or at least lessens the load of the person driving in the other direction.
The support group is on the first Saturday of every month at 10:00 am at The Lodge. It is facilitated by Alzheimer’s Association staff members and is a great way to form relationships with other caregivers that are caring for loved ones dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
The Alzheimer’s Association’s Caregiver Support Groups are designed to provide emotional, educational and social support for caregivers through regularly scheduled meetings. They help participants develop methods and skills to solve problems. The groups encourage caregivers to maintain their own personal, physical and emotional health, as well as care for the person with dementia.
Please join us for a support group meeting or call for more information. Suzanne Stephens (co-facilitator) at 434-242-0783.
