Transitions Kuel Category Expert: Nancy Tepper
Change, a chocolate donut, and a cup of coffee.
Meet Peeps. He is my 88 year old father-in-law and has been widowed for the past three years. Peeps is a naturally upbeat man, bringing positivity, kindness and compassion to all that know him. As he tried to deal with the many feelings brought up by the loss of his spouse, Peeps tried conventional ways of coping. He joined grief groups and tried therapy and anti-depressants. He tried to see old friends who reached out to him, but it didn’t feel quite the same without his wife by his side. Though he improved as time passed, a gaping hole still remained as he tried to heal. One day, in an attempt to have something to do outside of the house, Peeps stumbled into a local Dunkin Donuts near his home in Delray Beach. He sat at a table near another elderly person who was drinking a cup of coffee by himself, just trying to pass the time. They struck up a conversation and decided to meet the next day. Pretty soon that group became three people, then four, and has now grown to over fifteen people who congregate daily from 10am through 1pm. They sit, talk and share donuts and cups of coffee.
“The basic need for human connection clearly remains a necessity of life,”
All are strangers who have banded together to form a community at their local Dunkin, now renamed “headquarters”. Phone numbers were soon exchanged, lunch, and dinner dates were made. Friendships began to flourish. New people enter the group and are always warmly welcomed, and while some of the original members have been sadly lost to illness or death the group continues to prosper, and my father-in-law continues to heal. Caring words, acts of humanity, and the idea of finding something new to look forward to helps give life purpose and connection, no matter the age. The basic need for human connection clearly remains a necessity of life, shown by what a simple cup of coffee and a donut symbolizes for a group of lonely people in transition at the end of life.
“ it is our connections as humans that keep our lives rich.”
The story about Peeps is a metaphor for life in general. Whether it is a tennis group, an office gathering, a party, or simply any event that brings people together, these moments of connection help us as we transition in our lives. Life is ever changing, often for the better but sometimes for the worse. Life indeed does gives us lemons, after all. To help us navigate through whatever transitions we may have to face, it is our connections as humans that keep our lives rich.
Transitions in life will always hold a special place in our memories because they signify change, and it is essential that we focus on the positive, hopeful aspects that are encapsulated within every period of change. Life is inherently in a perpetual state of change, but learning to embrace it is the key to handling any transition at any age. Life never stands completely still, and if it did what a dull life would we all have! At every stage of life that you face, look for your donut, look for your cup of coffee, and think about how to make the very best of what life offers.
“A Tribute about change for my father-in-law, also known as “Peeps”
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About the Author:
Nancy Tepper is a 54 year- old mother of three living in New York City and having fun in this next chapter. Nancy loves tennis, yoga, and is an avid reader. Nancy loves spending time with family and friends and loves to help people. She is currently a member of the Board and Executive Director of Stand Up! Girls which is a non-profit offering stand-up comedy classes to under-served girls in the five boroughs of New York City. Nancy is also a co-founder of MT Nesters podcast which offers valuable advice and inspiration to women who are empty nested and trying to pivot. Lastly, Nancy is a certified Life Coach and works with people who want to transition, or individuals who want to make positive changes in their lives
HI Sheila,
Thanks so much! You and Gene have been so amazing to him. I don’t know what they would do without you.
That was a beautiful story about sir peeps. He loves to talk he keeps Gene and myself on the phone for 30minutes but we love it he is so personable and loves to talk And always makes us laugh. He does miss DD