Tanglewood is great any time of the year, but the calm, coziness and slower pace of summertime offer great benefits. Daryl and I love watching the summer storms, lightning shows and palms swaying in the wind. There is absolute beauty everywhere we look.
Living here during the laid-back months of summer with fewer people and activities offers great opportunities to discover possible friendships. Fall and Winter residents tend to hang out with their old buddies, but when they are gone, boredom sets in and may open their eyes to meeting new people. Maybe you no longer have enough people to play darts, bags, or pickleball. With fewer people it’s easier to spot unfamiliar faces who may be looking to make friends. Stepping out of our comfort zones and taking the opportunity to meet new people with current ideas, hobbies and different life experiences keeps us entertained!
One thing is certain, people are always coming and going. Age, illnesses, the need to move back with family and the arrival of new retirees controls the circle of life in 50plus communities. We have all experienced empty seats at our tables. Seeking new friends might fill that seat, provide a gem of a person and a friend for life. I’ve always found it much easier to walk up and start a conversation with someone standing alone than in a big crowd, so summer is my comfort zone.
Recently, I briefly met and then sought out one of the most charming ladies whose sunny disposition screamed, “This lady is going to be a blast, and I just have to get to know her better!” And I did! What a joy, I am experiencing getting to know her. Sometimes we need to step out of our friend zone and go fishing for new happy faces, relationships, and fun. If you are new, sometimes the easiest way to meet new people is to join a couple of committees. Tanglewood is known for being a great neighborhood. Summertime allows many opportunities to meet people who were right under your nose. Grow a new friend and your happiness this summer!
