YANA

(A program by residents for residents)

By Willi Zilkey

A good friend left flowers at my front door the day Bob died.  I’ll never forget that act of kindness.  In 2018, she and I decided to extend this thoughtfulness to everyone who experiences a loss in our community.  The group was named YANA, You Are Not Alone.

A creative photographer in our community prints note cards for us and another resident artist rendered the photo we use on our cards to reflect the sadness we share.

One member of the team, the Canary, notifies the appropriate team member of a death in our community.   Another member happily creates a small flower arrangement.  A note of sympathy is written to accompany the flowers.  Contact with the grieving resident is made to acknowledge their loss and ask for a convenient time to deliver the flowers and note.

This is a simple kindness.  It is our privilege to let grieving residents know they are not alone.  When one of us leaves, we all grieve.

This worthwhile project is sponsored by the RVM Residents Council.