happy happy...

I took Mom to lunch at her new place.  She won't move in til Friday, but we had an advance peek.  The apartment had just been vacated, so she got to see.  The rooms are a bit smaller than her old assisted living place, but since we just got rid of almost all of her furniture, it works out well to have less space to fill up.

The people were lovely.  Elsie agreed to sit with us at a guest table, and though she was pretty quiet, she made an effort to welcome Mom.  Joanne met us in the living room and was funny and friendly.  Mom actually acted like she might play bingo or Rummicube - she liked the people and seemed like she'd be a part of the community.

There were just 28 people in the dining room.  It was peaceful.  People were served food hot, and each table was served about the same time so no one had to eat alone. There was friendly, quiet chatter.

After the meal, we went to sit in the living room, and found a man there. Turned out he was the cook, Mike.  He was in his upper 40s, from Boston, and really funny.  Charmed Mom.  Spent a good part of his career owning restaurants, then came to work for this place 3 years ago.  Loves it.  Recognizes he brings people the last meal they will ever eat, and takes that privilege/responsibility very seriously.  Told Mom she needed to tell him how she likes food - oatmeal with brown sugar, eggs scrambled, dislikes mashed potatoes.  Makes salad with romaine and spinach, not iceberg. Though he's Boston Italian, he has learned how to make meatloaf and Midwest type dishes.  He's a smart-aleck and funny, but respectful. Delightful.

And there's something so comforting, so 'home', about being in a place where the food is welcoming, ample, warm, and familiar.

She repeatedly asked why I didn't find this place three and a half years ago, before she even got into her previous assisted living.

We left content and excited.  Can't wait for Friday.  Will be a challenge ... but totally worth it.