SPRING 2005
Tom Smith
Director of Institutional AdvancementChange: to make different, to give a totally different form or appearance to; transform.
his is how the Webster’s Dictionary defines change. Friends Home at Woodstown’s version of change is to become Southern New Jersey’s first continuing care retirement community—Friends Village.
My father once told me, “Changes are like vegetables. Most folks don’t like ’em, but everyone knows they’re good for you.” My life over the last five years has been a perpetual set of changes and challenges that seem to hit overnight. I have often thought about leaving a picture of myself next to my bed before going to sleep so that, when I awake tomorrow, I will remember who I was yesterday. These past few years have brought into my life marriage, children, a new career, a new address, and, most importantly, spiritual enlightenment. All of these changes and challenges have helped (or in some cases forced) me to become a better person. I now understand the phrase, “change is inevitable.”
Looking ahead to this year, I have another major change/challenge coming down the road: the much-anticipated birth of my daughter. This will bring the score to Parents 2, Children 3. For those of you reading this and laughing, I thank you for your compassion. I have been told that having three children is a whole new ballgame. No more divide and conquer; no more sitting in between them to break up the never-ending He-won’t-stop-touching-me war; and, of course, I will have the challenge of fitting three car seats in the back of a Pontiac. All are relatively minor changes in the grand scheme of things (at least, that’s what I keep telling myself), but still challenges.
Another change in my life involves my career. I am using new stationary and now answering the phone, proclaiming the new name of my place of employment: “Good morning. Friends Village, how may I help you?” The name change from Friends Home better reflects what we are becoming, southern New Jersey’s only continuing care retirement community. Our expansion will in clude 47 independent living cottages, 20 independent living apartments, a 47-room assisted living wing with 20 rooms dedicated to dementia residents, a commons building that will house our new dining area and community center, and expansion of our skilled nursing unit. In all, there will total 155,000 square feet of new construction.
Friends Village is redefining change as we know it. The one constant in this change, however, will be our 108 years of quality Quaker care. Friends Village will continue to recognize the dig nity of each individual, and will stay committed to making every effort to foster independence and security for those living within our borders. Founded in 1897 by Salem Quarter of the Religious Society of Friends, Friends Village at Woodstown is guided and will continue to be guided in philosophy and practice by the teachings, beliefs and traditions of our Quaker founders. I am looking forward to facing this new challenge in the year ahead.
RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Last modified:
Saturday, February 26, 2005 at 08:59 PM
