For Oak Trace residents Bob Neder and Irene Stange, an unexpected meeting blossomed into something greater, encouraging them to make the most of what their independent living community offers.
Enjoying Life’s Surprise Meetings
Irene came to Oak Trace after living in Fort Lauderdale for over 30 years, whereas Bob had spent most of his adult life in Illinois and the Chicago area.
“Before I came here, I was… living by myself,” Bob says. “My wife had passed away, my kids are all gone, and I was hustling trying to keep the house up and so on. So coming here, it was a big plus for me.”
“When my husband passed away, my kids were here, children and grandchildren,” Irene says. “And I have always loved the outdoors. So the grounds, the pond, the outdoors [of Oak Trace’s community] really sold my daughters and I.”
After both lost their spouses, they decided to try community life. Despite spending most of their lives in different parts of the country, starting a new chapter at Oak Trace brought these two lovely souls together.
“We met in the recycling trash room,” Irene says, laughing. “[We] said a few words and I kind of forgot about it. Then a couple weeks later, he called and asked me to go out to lunch and to the Morton Arboretum. I was a nervous wreck – [just] petrified. This was so out of my comfort zone. But, we had a nice time and that was kind of like the beginning.”
From there, the two continued to spend time together and enjoy the company of someone with shared values.
“We have a lot of common interests,” Bob says. “We like the same kind of music and food, we like to be outdoors and coffee—we like coffee. So, that was a good start for us.”
Common Ground Throughout the Community
Capitalizing on those common interests, both Bob and Irene have found a larger community by participating in activities hosted by Oak Trace. From a crochet club that recycles old material into new mats for the homeless population in Chicago to health and wellness activities right down the hall, both residents have found new friends and satisfaction by exploring more of what independent living provides.
“We go to yoga together and we’re partners in a group playing bridge,” Irene says. “At first, I was hesitant to go down to the dining room. I’m kind of a quiet person and to go sit at a table with three strangers every night kind of surprised me.”
Similarly, Bob’s introverted nature made him initially hesitant to put himself out there.
“You get introduced to people, but you have to carry it on from there. And I think if you just do your own thing, push yourself a little to meet people, before you know it, you find people you associate with that you feel good with,” Bob says. “It takes a little bit on your own to do it, but it’s worth it.”
Between classes, social gatherings, and their own personal calendars, Bob and Irene keep plenty busy throughout the Oak Trace community and beyond.
“I do most of my socializing here in the building,” Bob says, “And Irene does more outside with the family…We have a monthly program downstairs [called Friendly Friday]. We go there and have wine. We have a music program almost every week … They try and keep us busy.”
In finding their community separately and together, the benefits have been profound.
“You get to know not just others, but yourself,” Irene says, “And that’s very important.”
Focusing on What Matters
For Irene, the sudden ability to focus on her desires and the freedom to schedule things on her own time opened up a surprising window of self-reflection.
“I never took the time for myself to do these lovely things,” Irene says. “What’s so funny is that, coming here, I’ve become the person I think I was meant to be.”
Independent living can clear the path for residents to truly focus on what they wish in a way few other communities can.
“One thing I really enjoy is a lot of things being done for me,” Bob says. “The food, I just [dropped my laundry off]. House cleaning, you know, things I always had to do by myself.”
“I was always taking care of and serving people. And when I got here, I was like, ‘Hey, I can do whatever I want’,” Irene says.
Oak Trace’s robust amenities and services eliminate tedious daily tasks, allowing residents to prioritize what matters most to them easily.
“You have more time of your own so that you can plan [your days] instead of someone else planning them. [You plan your own activities], and I really enjoy that,” Bob says.
Find Your Purpose at Oak Trace
Oak Trace offers a luxury setting, high-end services, amenities, and activities so you can spend each day precisely as you want. Like Bob and Irene, you can find your community in sometimes surprising ways while knowing support is there in the future if you ever need it.
Come visit us and meet enthusiastic residents like Bob and Irene. Learn more about how we help our residents live active, connected lives, and envision yourself on our gorgeous grounds.
Contact us today to learn more about life at Oak Trace.
