On October 9-18 the family club hosted its regular retreat trip to the Resort "Energetic". The elder generation participated in the trip this time. It was especially nice because the current month is a month of caring for the elderly people. It was a long-awaited trip after the numerous requests. The summer gardening season was over and we expected that many elderlies would go but only the bravest did. Despite all the illnesses, high blood pressure, aching legs and backs, they still decided to spend a holiday with the family club outside of the city.
On Friday we departed early from the city to have enough time to prepare for the Sabbath. The road time passed quickly and here we were out of town in a quiet village Michurino. The Resort is located near the Irtysh River, in the neighborhood that is picturesque at any time of the year especially in the fall. We rushed for a walk. Basia Moiseyevna Zeleneeva succeeded in gathering mushrooms, although the season for mushrooms had almost passed in our region. Like a magician she took out of nowhere mushrooms again and again. Ekaterina Yegorovna Listopad inspired everybody to pick up rose hip berries. I learned a lot of different secrets how to cook drinks with these berries. At the sunset we hurried to meet Saturday with candles and haloy. We were sitting in circle like one large family and met Saturday with sandwiches, salads and homemade pies. Irina Tveritneva, Director of the Community Center, told us about the importance of the Sabbath day, reminded us of the traditions, and we even sang the national anthem of Saturday - "Lecha Dodi" from memory without prompts.
Two days did not pass in vain. We have learned and practiced a set of exercises for the lazy, discussed many pieces of advice on healthy lifestyle. For elderly ladies with their sedentary life styles it was useful to learn that. We also talked about the difficulties of life and the past. Raisa Vovk thought of the years when she was living in the town of Uman, the Ukraine, how she was receiving Jews from Israel at her apartment, what challenges and funny cases she had. Svetlana Nahmanovna Filyanova recalled the difficult years of the perestroyka, how she had to feed her family. Galina Bektemirova said that she is a member of the Society for the Protection of Animals, she is never bored because every day she feeds stray animals. Also, our women shared problems and concerns about their children and grandchildren and received advice and answers to the questions.
This year autumn is especially beautiful boasting all the bright colors. Autumn is the time of maturity. It is in tune with our elderlies. And although the calendar leaves turned yellow, and there are wrinkles on their faces but their spirit is strong and vigorous. Keep it up, dear!