While sharing a table seems like a simple thing, it has the powerful, positive impact of building social connections, friendships – and even sisterhood.
Gail (left) and Peggy met at the Project Open Hand senior lunch site in the Castro neighborhood about two years ago and have developed such a strong friendship that they describe themselves as “sisters by choice.”
“We were both coming for lunch and sitting with a big group, then one day, someone pointed out that Gail and I are both retired nurses,” Peggy explained. “Once we got to chatting about that and the many other things we have in common, we really hit it off.”
“We learned that we’re both from Ohio; we both love the Giants; and we both have difficult older sisters,” Peggy said, laughing.
A retired emergency department nurse and health educator, Peggy moved to San Francisco four years ago to be closer to family. Gail, who lived in the Castro in the 60s and 70’s, returned to San Francisco in 2013. She spent 20 years as an Army nurse, serving in Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm, Saudi Arabia, as well as 25 years working in Veterans’ hospitals.
“Right from day one, I felt really welcome here,” Gail said. “This community center is my home away from home, a real focal point of my life. I come to see Peggy, I enjoy the great activities, and the meals taste good.”
I haven’t always had the best eating habits, so coming for lunch, I know I’m getting good, healthy food at least one meal a day,” Gail added.
A couple of years ago, when a fellow lunch guest suffered a stroke, Peggy and Gail began fielding anxious questions from their peers about how to prevent and respond to strokes. They saw an opportunity to share knowledge and expertise from their many years of professional nursing and “Ask the Nurses” was born.
Since October 2013, these “sisters by choice” have taught health-education workshops twice monthly at the Castro Senior Center. Their “Ask the Nurses” class address health challenges commonly faced by seniors, including stroke, heart attacks, fractures and falls, and diabetes. In the coming months, they have sessions planned about cancer and dementia.
“We think it’s important to give back at every age,” said Peggy, who turned 80 last fall. Gail will celebrate her 72nd birthday this summer.
As Gail and Peggy’s friendship has blossomed, so has their community. Gail said, “People who break bread together, talk together, share common struggles and help each other. When we saw there was a need to give back, we jumped at the opportunity.”