Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: remembering why we thought cohousing was a good idea

[Marty Roberts (MartyR]

> Re: [C-L]_remembering why we thought cohousing was a good idea
>I'd be happy to see a tide of personal experiences hit the list this week, a
>"Best of the Year 2001".

A few recent ones:
My 18 year old cat with failing kidneys needed twice-weekly fluid infusions
with a big needle.  Two cohousing neighbors who are nurses volunteered to do
the procedure (for several months).  Towards the end when he was very bad
and needed twice DAILY infusions, two more neighbors joined in and it was
easily accomplished.  During his last few days, the 6 year twins across the
way drew pictures for me and came to visit him daily.  When he died we  had
a little ritual in my living room and then proceeded to my backyard for a
little burial ceremony.  This is my third pet to die since I moved in (my
dog had cancer and the cats were 19 and 18 years old), and we had similar
experiences each time.  I am very attached to my pets, so this has been
incredibly helpful.

This week, I took a neighbor's very sweet cat to the vet for surgery since
she was working and I am caring for cats right now for two separate
households that are out of town - Figaro and Mamoosh.

One night, I had three spontaneous invitations to dinner.  Since I live
alone this is so appreciated.

Today, I went down to Ben and Wendy's to tell Ben he could pick up the 20
shoe boxes that I needed to get rid of and he needed for crafts projects.
Two year old Elena wanted me to read a story right then and there, so I did!

Our Christmas party was the best ever!  Several of us went to a friend's to
pick up a huge tree that had to be cut down for thinning their property.
Others helped put it up and contributed lights and ornaments.  Connie the
decorating queen decorated the place to the max.  Several amateur musicians
rehearsed Christmas music for a few weeks to entertain us.  I played the
piano for the first time in 25 years and no one laughed!  The food was an
amazing group effort feast.

Movie nights in the Common House lounge are often spontaneous and cozy -
something fun to do almost always materializes very easily.  And then
there's West Wing Club on Wed. nights at one of the only homes that has
cable.  She isn't even home, but opens her house gladly.

Well, it appears I could go on and on.  But I'll stop for now.
Marty Roberts
Two Acre Wood, Sebastopol, CA

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