Reported by Dianna Shaffer

Barbara Hads’ story:

It all started with Vassar Byrd stopping by my house along with the other units down this way (332 – 337) to advise us that only the six of us and the Oaks had electric power and heat.  The rest of Rose Villa didn’t.  She was looking for places where people could stay, and asked whether I had any close friends who could stay with me.  I gave her a couple of names (Helen Haas and Mary O’Neil) and told her that I had a queen bed and a recliner.

I didn’t know at first if anyone would be coming.  About 8 PM someone from Avencia called to make sure I had taken my pills. I asked who she was trying to reach, and she said Helen Haas.  That’s when I found out who was coming to stay with me. By 9 PM she hadn’t shown up yet, so I called Security to go to her unit to check on her. Security and Avencia found her there in bed, and she said she was staying at her home!  They called back to say they would bring Helen in the morning.  Helen didn’t know where she was going or who she was staying with. The next morning, she arrived with bags and medicine, and Helen was happy to see me!

For three days we talked and got along and were grateful for the food from the kitchen!  Helen and I go way back with our families.  She has been here 25 years and I’ve been here for 23 years.  It was nice to have someone to talk to and eat with.  But we both agreed it’s also nice to be alone.  I made her watch the Blazers! I hope my other neighbors had as much fun as we did.

Thanks for asking about my experience. Hopefully things will be back to normal soon.

Helen Haas’ story:

When the power went off Friday night, February 22, 2021, little did I know the ordeal and adventure that was ahead. I was alone in my dark apartment with my flashlight, blankets, and prayers. I had my cellphone but I knew it had to stay charged, and I couldn’t get to anyplace to charge it. With memory loss and dementia, routine is essential and keeping track of time is strange at best; when the unexpected happens, everything gets harder. I could figure out how to talk to my sisters on my cell phone long enough for us to exchange “I love you.”

I got through the first night and managed to stay warm in bed. Facing the second night was much harder. Still, when Rose Villa helpers came on Saturday and talked about moving me, I said no. I didn’t understand where I would end up, so I spent a second cold and dark night with my blanket and prayers, and some added layers of coats. My sisters couldn’t understand at all why I didn’t accept the opportunity to move, and they were beyond worried.

Sunday morning finally arrived and this time the Rose Villa helpers came and told me they were moving me, no choice this time, which was good. They helped me pack and drove me through the deep snow to Barbara Hads’ cottage, one of a very few that had power. With my hearing loss and all the confusion, I still had not understood where they were taking me, and I was delighted to find that it was my friend’s place! She opened her home to me for the next three days and nights, which was the gift of a lifetime for me and for my family. I found out then that Barbara had expected me to arrive on Saturday and was worried when I didn’t show up.

We had such good visits and got better acquainted. She was a generous hostess in every way. Rose Villa delivered meals to us throughout the ordeal, and I felt so blessed to be with a good friend in a warm and safe place. A special added bonus was that I got to have contact with Charlotte Kocher, Barbara’s cousin and helper. Charlotte is the daughter of our former pastor and his wife, who was one of my very best friends. She helped me raise my children and they were part of our family for years. Both are gone now, but getting to visit with Charlotte, whom I have known all her life, was so special.

By Wednesday, February 17, the power was back on and Rose Villa helpers got me home safely. By then enough ice and snow had melted that we were able to walk back with my walker. My sister was able to get to my place and she came to clean out and restock the refrigerator and to help me unpack. It took several days for me to remember my “normal” routine and to settle in.

In spite of increasing memory loss, I don’t think I will ever forget the February 2021 ice storm. I am so grateful for Barbara’s friendship and for all of the help and care that Rose Villa gave to me personally and to all of us. We are so blessed and fortunate to be here. May the lights stay on for all of us!