Fashion Show: Dress to Impress

At Lieberman today a "Fashion Show: Dress to Impress" took place in the community room. Approximately two dozen residents, both men and women, dressed themselves up beautifully in anticipation of walking the red carpet runway. Staff were also decked out in their finest evening wear and high heels. Some fifty other residents became the appreciative audience.

Below are photos of Gregory all dressed up. Manny got him dressed up in a pair of kaki's, with real shoes, and a soft black polo top. I dropped a tear or two because it has been a long time since I have seen Gregory dressed like the "olden days" as compared to his usual sweat pants and long sleeved T.

Manny is always so loving and caring and went to a lot of trouble to have Gregory shining for his runway debut including buying him the new black shirt. I added the handmade rainbow silk scarf which was a gift from Susan Tillett and the top hat which was purchased from the Lyric Opera of Chicago "Garage Sale" last year.

It was decided that Gregory looked like something out of "Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory," "Dr. Seuss," or "Alice in Wonderland's Mad-hatter Tea Party!"

Celebrating July Birthdays at Lieberman

I brought Gregory flowers for his "yet another birthday" celebration.

Gregory and Peaceful resting before the party.

BIRTHDAY PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN BY JAKE BLOOM

John had to leave before the group photograph. 

From top left: Ken, Jake, Patricia, Sheryl, Bernice, Victor, Larry, Gregory, Jan, Sharon, Cheryl, Kathleen, Michael 

I love that man so much.

  

That man loves me so much.

Gregory acknowledging his name when the birthdays were announced.

Clapping along to the music. 

A gift from Lieberman to Gregory

Sunflowers from Patricia and Ken, Kathleen & Vic and Sheryl & John brought chocolates, the others brought their gifts to Gregory's July 4th party. Thanks one and all!

Outside after the party enjoying the sun. 

Bobby Broom and Ruby

Today's entertainment at Lieberman was specially planned for Father's Day. Over 100 people attended the jazz concert by the world famous Bobby Broom Trio which included Bobby Broom, his partner Dennis, and his mother Ruby.

Ruby has been a resident at Lieberman for many years. She is a lovely lady who is visually challenged but high in spirits and love. During many entertainments on Sundays she can be seen standing with her walker putting on the moves, singing along at times, and adding at just the right emotionally charged places, a gospel type RIGHT, YES, or YOU GO!

Today she was beautifully dressed ready to perform with her son Bobby and she did a great job. Forgive the blurred photograph but privacy must be respected.

Gregory and I really enjoyed the concert and afterwards Gregory, Peaceful the Bear, and I went outside to enjoy the great weather.

Lieberman Center Entertainment Sundays

La Belle Duo performed today at Lieberman Center. They sang old classics, show tunes, and opera. 

Here is a close up look at Gregory and his bear "Peaceful" enjoying the day: smiling, thoughtful, tearful, whistling along, pensive, and best of all - fruit and cookies!

Gayle

Gayle lives at Lieberman on the assisted living floor. She and I have crossed paths a number of times on the elevator and I always smile and say hello to her.

Today she was at the Sunday November Birthday Party in the community room sitting not too far away from Gregory, Manny, and me.

She is pleasant enough but approaching her is a little difficult because of her lack of grooming, her being dressed in a night gown instead of something more appropriate to the party, her sad dour look.

I was feeling particularly sad for myself trying to cope with some of the more recent changes Gregory has been going through. Today he was extra quiet, seemed drugged, his neck holding his head at a painfully crooked angle, and his face looking like it was just hanging there.

Manny had tried to prop his head with pillows but instead of Gregory taking the pressure off his neck by leaning on the pillows, he seemed to rather hold it at that awkward angle.

So there I was sitting, holding and stroking Gregory's hand, listening to the singer crooning love songs, with tears running down my eyes.

I looked up and noticed Gayle sitting there looking at us. It seemed as if she had tears in her eyes. I thought to myself, I need to go over and chat with her a little. If I give her some of my love, I might be better able to carry my sorrow.

I walked over to her wheelchair, kneeled down, took her hand and said, "Hi."

She greeted me. "He is so young, you know!" she said about Gregory. "You know I pray for you both every time I see you and your love for each other."

"Sometimes I wonder if there is a God?" she asked.

I thanked her for her prayers and her kind thoughts and tried to cheer her up a little, "Well you know, Gregory is happy and calm and content in his own way. They take very good care of him here. And there is a God if only because of your prayers and smile. We both appreciate that very much."

She smiled back as I took my leave and went back to hold Gregory's hand. It worked. I gave away love and was given love in return, and contentment, and peace.

Lieberman Sunday

21 photos from October Birthday Celebration Sunday. Gregory enjoyed the music and at times was moved to tears. The guy who performed is 85 years old. He played electronic piano, told stories of his entertaining days in The Catskills, conducted sing alongs from "The American Songbook" including Gershwin and others. Of course the birthday cake was delicious and Peaceful joined us.