The Gang's All Here

 Whoop de doo, the gang's all here! We all have to be part of "the gang" to get along socially, but wait. To be completely "the gang" isn't ideal. There is always a tiny part of us that remains secretively, just us, and no one else. It's not a bad part, it's a very good part. Why? It's the part that keeps us who we are while at the same time, measures out what it takes to be so, and how much of our true selves, we are willing to give,  to "the gang". It's a place in us that we share only with those we trust completely : our best friends, perhaps a parent or a mate.  It is what we own about who we are, and we are proud of it and nuture it and try always, to make it better and better. One of the down sides of elders having to go to a home, is preserving that element in ourselves. We don't want to lose it, but we would like to share it with some others.  Aging can make our circle of "gang" shrink as friends and relatives and mates, leave our lives. Sometimes, we are left with ourselves only, and it isn't easy to make another "gang" to be part of. Smiles with, and nice questions of, others that we, ourselves, would like to hear, help. Having opportunities to find a new "gang" is the key. That's when we choose activities, even if they aren't our favorite things to do  to help us find some new companions. That sounds easy, but if you aren't mobile having a vehicle or if you live alone, it's a challenge. Most condos are places where you can join a group that is within the walls of the place: book clubs, game groups, exercising, regular coffee breaks or happy hours. If your place of residence doesn't have such groups, you can always start one.  Hopefully, the activities offered are not the kindergarten kinds of Arts and Crafts that adults of any age would abhor. Please no cut and paste or dab! We elders are not brainless, nor are we children. If you are in such a group and it needs to change, speak out and hope to make positive suggestions. You have rights. Go find your gang or make one, and be happy.