Annice

Adele in Asheville, age 87

One of Adele’s favorite quotes – posted on her fridge: “Birth is not one act ; it is a process.  The aim of life is to be fully born, though its tragedy is that most of us die before we are thus born.  To live is to be born every minute.  Death occurs when birth stops.  Physiologically our cellular system is in a process of continual birth; psychologically, however, most of us cease to be born at a certain point.” Erich Fromm

If you recall from Part I, Adele arrived in Asheville in 1992, 70 years old. She loved New York, but something greater was pushing her to become totally independent.  Leaving family and friends, she knew it was time to cut the umbilical chord that had tied her to Brooklyn all those years.

Annice: So tell me, how did you stumble upon Asheville, NC?

Adele: I began reading books and investigating retirement communities in warm climates.  I knew one thing: I didn’t want to end up in Florida.  I visited Chapel Hill and their Jewish community, even interviewed the rabbi, but it didn’t appeal to me.  I looked at Durham, too, but as soon as I spotted a group of garden club ladies in high heels, I knew that wasn’t for me.  I was about to go home, when I remembered that one of my sons had mentioned Asheville.  Even though I was 4 hours away and didn’t like to drive long distances, I said, what the hell, I’m so close, let me rent a car, and drive to Asheville.  It wasn’t until I stopped at a Huddle House for pecan waffles along Rt. 40 that I suddenly realized I was driving up mountains.  That, alone, was a defining experience for me.

Annice: So did you find a house right away?

(more…)