Two months after moving into Miriam Corban Retirement Village Lois Burt is very happy as she reflects on life in her new home.
But she admits that in the first couple of weeks she came close to moving back out again!
“I had mixed feelings because I’d moved in on my own.”
Lois lost her husband Kevin suddenly in February – the two of them were both looking forward to starting their new life together – and then her dear stepdaughter passed away a month later, quickly followed by going into lockdown.
“It was all overwhelming. And I missed my house which had all my memories of Kevin. But this was a real wish of his to come into the village so I am perpetuating that dream. I can’t see him here but I feel his presence.”
Lois credits her strong Catholic faith plus the support from Sales Advisor Amy Richardson, and the friendship from her fellow residents for guiding her through that tough time over countless cups of tea.
“I couldn’t have come to a more beautiful place with kinder, nicer people,” she smiles.
She struck up a firm friendship with Joyce, after bonding over a bookcase and a bottle of Worcestershire Sauce!
“She and I just hit it off! I helped her paint her bookcase to fit into her new décor because I have a flair for crafts.
“A few days later I’d run out of Worcestershire Sauce and couldn’t find it at the supermarket and I came home and what was on my doorstep?!
“It’s those little things that people do to show they care.”