Another CityLit Festival
My sweatshirt got a little too much attention and briefly stole the show. A gentleman came up to me and said, “My grandfather lived at Roland Park Place. They really treated him well.” A few minutes later a woman approached to me to say, “I need to contact Roland Park Place because I am starting to look at Continuing Care Retirement Communities and heard RPP is the best in the state.”
My final chat was with a librarian who had a friend
living at RPP. She was proud to talk about the care her friend received, who
was also a librarian. She would visit her on occasion, and was equally
impressed with our staff, and the sophistication of our community.
My curiosity got the best of me, and I had to ask her friend’s name. After
telling me, I got a little choked up because her friend was one of the first
residents I met at RPP when I began working there, and we shared a special bond.
Six months later, things changed. The last time I saw her she was in memory
care. Months later, she died. That was a heartbreaking moment. (By the way, it
would take many more months for me to learn that it wasn’t so heartbreaking,
that this person was fortunate to be in a facility that was able to provide her
with long-term care. She was in a safe place. We should all be fortunate, dare
I say, lucky to have that kind of support.)
I’ve worked in healthcare my whole life. Working in a
continuing care retirement community is a notable change for me because we
spend a significant amount of time bonding with our residents. Even if you are
an employee just saying hi to a resident but not directly working with them,
bonding is taking place, and when you see that resident again and again, sharing
more words, each time that bond gets stronger. Those moments add up, and when
the unfortunate happens – illness and/or death, I can speak for the many when I
say, it hurts! You can’t help feeling like you have lost a member of your own
family. Beauty and sadness, one of life’s many contradictions, but I digress.
To a special someone, I really am sorry I couldn’t
stay longer at the festival, I am sure it was a hit!
When I attend the CityLit Festival I always think of
the 9th annual one. That year felt magical. I am not sure why.
Perhaps it’s because it was held at the Central Pratt Library near Mount
Vernon, or maybe because it felt more diverse. Regardless of why, I am happy
CityLit is still around nurturing the culture of literature in Baltimore and
throughout Maryland.
I don’t tell you enough, but CityLit is lucky to have
you on their board. I don’t know anyone more in love with books and reading
then you – the guy who still has all his children’s books. – paerki
A Related Post: 9th Annual CityLit Festival (April 14, 2012)
The ninth annual CityLit Festival was held on April 14, 2012 at the Enoch Pratt Free Library (Central Branch). This was my third visit, however, in many ways I consider it my first. Prior to this year I had been nothing more than a voyeur, but this time around I immersed myself in the culture, connecting with countless writers and fellow readers. It was a satisfying experience, and I walked away, like most, feeling empowered and encouraged.
For those who don’t know, the CityLit Project nurtures the culture of literature in the Baltimore metropolitan area through a wide range of events, workshops, publishing and collaboration, and the CityLit Festival is one of their biggest events, which brings writers, readers and the curious together in a free, day-long celebration of the literary arts – and what a celebration!
There was so much to take in, but instead of following a schedule I opted to roam, canvassing the area, listening to the occasional speaker, and observing an author or two being interviewed by a magazine, newspaper or blogger.
For those who don’t know, the CityLit Project nurtures the culture of literature in the Baltimore metropolitan area through a wide range of events, workshops, publishing and collaboration, and the CityLit Festival is one of their biggest events, which brings writers, readers and the curious together in a free, day-long celebration of the literary arts – and what a celebration!
There was so much to take in, but instead of following a schedule I opted to roam, canvassing the area, listening to the occasional speaker, and observing an author or two being interviewed by a magazine, newspaper or blogger.
What I enjoyed most was eavesdropping on those quiet off-the-cuff corner conversations between readers, and their love affairs with books, and for some, their infatuation with a particular writer. (Yes, I overheard, "I only read his books!" or "She’s the best! No one writes like her." It was funny, but I can surely understand because I have my favorites, too.)
Continue Reading: CityLit Festival
