Page 14 - Talk of Tequesta - October '21
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Page 14, The Talk Of Tequesta



                                                                  booK review




                                                      The Anniversary Box



                                                                         By Nils A. Shapiro


        A  love story to                                be shown over and over again in the years to come.   created several charities to raise funds to cure lung cancer
      remember and share.                                 The book’s epilogue relates the secrets written in those   in memory of his wife, Barb, a marathon runner, who
        I learned about this book                       24 messages, so you won’t have to go looking for that   passed away from lung cancer. He has also introduced
      from a friend who knows                           anniversary box. All you have to do is get a copy of the   a “roundtable” discussion series and a workshop series
      me to be a “softie,” willing                      novel. And pick up a box of facial tissues while you’re at   that  give  people  an  opportunity  to  match  “messages”
      to admit that I watch – and                       it; you will need it to wipe away a tear or two if you are a   in The Anniversary Box to strengths in their own lives
      enjoy –Hallmark movies on                         softie, like me. (Go ahead, admit it. I won’t tell anyone.)  and relationships, and to teach how to create their
      TV once in a while.                                                     *****                        own anniversary boxes. Tom also founded the Human
        Regular readers of this                           A couple of other things you should know about author   Resiliency Institute at Fordham University in New York.
      column  –  after  almost  15                      Tom Murphy that will help explain the sensitivity that   More information about this is listed at the end of the
      years and more than 175                           is reflected in this, his fourth published book. He has   book.
      reviews – are aware that
      my reading tastes tend toward such nonfiction as ancient
      nature and the animal world, and may well be surprised  La Posada 17th Anniversary
      world and early American history and anything about
      to find a romantic novel as the focus of my attention this
      month.                                                 For almost two decades, La Posada,
        So I will make                                     a Kisco Senior Living community, has
      my point simply,                                     touched the lives of many, and those
      right at the outset:                                 who live and work there are proud of
      If you are blessed                                   the success shared by all. This pride
      to be able to still                                  can be seen on display daily, but is
      celebrate wedding                                    especially visible as the community
      a nni ve rsari es                                    celebrates its 17th anniversary, providing
      with the one                                         a unique opportunity for everyone at the
      with whom you                                        community to look back and celebrate
      took your vows                                       the successes that make La Posada what
      –  no  matter  how                                   is today.
      recently  or  long                                     Located in the heart of Palm Beach
      ago that may have                                    Gardens, La Posada offers full-service
      been – a copy of                                     senior living that affords an enriched lifestyle. With a unique  an independent lifestyle. At all levels, trust and transparency
      The Anniversary                                      approach and a philosophy centered on giving residents peace  are key components of providing residents and their loved
      Box is a wonderful                                   of mind, the community focuses on providing residents with  ones with confidence. La Posada continues to proactively
      gift you can give                                    five-star service in all areas. As a resort-style community,  prepare, plan, and protect against outside threats to ongoing
      to that loved one.                                   residents have access to a variety of amenities, including chef-  service delivery. The community follows best-in-class
        This slim                                          prepared meals, concierge services, state-of-the-art wellness  protocols and continues to set the standard for keeping its
      volume tells the                                     programs and so much more.                      residents and associates comfortably safe and sound.
      story of a young
      woman, Peggy, who is about to be married, but as the
      wedding day approaches she is becoming a bit unsure
      of  taking  the  big  step  and  wishes  she  could  have  her
      parents’ guidance. But her mother is deceased and her
      father has suffered a debilitating stroke, leaving him
      unable to communicate. Having recently discovered that
      her parents had created an “anniversary box” over the
      years in which each year they would write a message
      together to affirm their love and suggest ways to make it
      stronger – 24 messages in all, since she passed away just
      before their 25th anniversary – then sealed them away
      in the anniversary box, Peggy sets out to try to find that
      missing box to learn the secrets of keeping love alive     “At La Posada we have a reputation for excellence and    “At  La  Posada,
      before stepping to the altar herself.                quality service, and that’s a badge of honor we take great pride  we are focused
        From friends of her parents she gets hints of what their   in,” said Brad Cadiere, executive director at La Posada. “One  on continuous
      early marriage was like, before she was old enough to   thing that sets us apart is the strength of our staff and their  improvement in all
      really know them. And that they considered the classic O.   tenure, with several of our executive staff having more than  that we do to provide
      Henry short story, The Gift of the Magi, an important part   a decade of experience at our community and over a dozen  exceptional  service
      of the secret to a lasting love: the tale in which a couple,   staff members who have been here 15-plus years.”  for those who call our
      Della and Jim, each sacrifices a most prized possession     According to Cadiere, the community is focused on  community home,”
      to express love for the other: he sells his favorite pocket   providing an atmosphere that is more like that of a family  said Cadiere. “We
      watch to get the money to buy Della a comb for the   than a business, focusing on making sure that residents and  understand that there is
      stunning waist-length hair that is her pride and joy ... not   associates alike are known and cared for individually. This  much to be considered
      realizing that she has cut off her long hair and sold it for   can be seen in how La Posada celebrates each moment, big  in choosing a senior living community, and our aim is
      money to buy Jim a beautiful fob and chain to hold his   and small, as well as finds opportunities to show one another  to ensure daily that our residents know we are diligently
      watch.                                               honor and respect. This level of commitment to its people  focused on providing them with service that enables them
        In telling his story of The Anniversary Box, author Tom   is what continues to set the standard.   to live and enjoy an independent lifestyle.”
      Murphy shows an impressive flair for lively, fast-moving     “Service is engrained in everything we do, and we want    Featuring 193 luxurious independent living apartments
      dialogue, and a clear, deep sense of empathy – and comes   to be the best,” said Paulina Jacobs, associate executive  and 11 independent living cottages, in addition to assisted
      up with a brilliant twist ending that I never saw coming   director. “We have a well-established culture that defines our  living apartments, memory care suites and private rooms for
      ... one worthy of O. Henry himself. I am betting that, not   services and how we engage with our community, and this is  short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing, the community
      only will The Anniversary Box become a slim classic in   something that we are committed to and always looking to  provides opportunities to strengthen the mind, body and spirit
      its own right, but that Hallmark will turn it into a film to   improve. We know that the little details make the difference,  at all levels of community life.
                                                           and finding those opportunities to support the community is    “At the end of the day we’re special not because we’ve
                                                           what makes us successful.”                      been here for 17 years, but because of the incredible
                                                             One area La Posada’s commitment to those who live and  individuals who live and work in our community,” said Jacobs.
                                                           work at the community can been seen is through safety and  “Over the years we’ve had many experiences that have led to
        Captain’s was established in 1980 servicing        security. Both have always been an integral aspect of La  where we are today, but what defines us now and always will
        Palm Beach County and is a privately               Posada’s philosophy, and the community’s team members  is our dedication to providing a community where everyone
        owned and managed company.                         are trained to ensure that all the worry is taken out of living  has the ability to thrive and live life well.”
        Captain’s is committed to providing
        dependable, reliable and professional
        ground transportation to and from all                  Now is the right time to consider the invigorating environment La Posada offers.
        South Florida Airports and Seaports.  PBCVH212
           To reserve your vehicle:                            Call (561) 277-0680 to schedule a tour and experience La Posada for yourself.
        561-798-2180 or 800-634-7890  www.captainsairport.com
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