IPRA Today

In the movie, there are seven senior students at the Welton Academy, an elite preparatory school.  The teaching techniques of their new English teacher, John Keating played by Robin Williams, were unorthodox by Welton standards.  He whistled the 1812 Overture and he told students that they could call him "O Captain! My Captain!" in reference to a Walt Whitman poem.  He took them out of the classroom to focus on the idea of carpe diem.

In concert with a number of my colleagues I have spent hours researching and speaking about how, we as parks and recreation professionals can seize each day in grand fashion and live life to the fullest.  Over the past three years at the IPR Conference you’ve heard techniques and tips for balancing our lives, for gaining more personal time, and for being more efficient.  While I think the sharing of this information is important, I have come to realize that quality of life and seizing the day is not just something to talk about.  We have to grab on to it with everything we have in us.

On September 22, my mom, Astrid Peterson, passed away at the age of 89.   For six days after she suffered a major stroke my brother and I were with her at her home.  Although she never regained consciousness, many people stopped to see her, thank her for the impact she had on their lives and to tell stories.  We celebrated a life well lived by recalling good times, reflecting on ways she had helped others and how she truly enjoyed bringing people together. 

For as long as I can remember my mom was the person in each of her social, work, school and church networks to form the group and keep the group together.  As one person put it, "she was the glue."  Yes, there were times she got sick of always being the planner.  She often vowed to wait for someone else to take action, but when no one did, she always jumped in and planned another activity.  She loved seeing people together, interacting, and participating; whether it was bowling, singing, traveling, boating, and ice skating, or picnicking.  She was at her best when she was walking around the group, making sure everyone was having a good time.

On Saturday nights at our home on Whitewater Lake in Wisconsin, my mom would plan piano roll parties.  She picked up a player piano at a yard sale the year I was born.  It came with over 250 piano rolls which could be played if someone would sit down and pump the piano.   She would invite everyone around the bay where we lived to get together.  We would eat, drink, talk and most importantly, sing!  There were usually at least three generations involved.  It became a fond childhood memory for many of my friends.  There are times when we are at the lake when I think I can still hear the music.

Later in her life my mom planned bridge games for her friends living in a nearby retirement community.  Many of them were suffering from dementia or were having other physical challenges that drastically impacted the quality of the game, but the time together became a highlight for everyone.  She also felt strongly that they needed to get out of the retirement community occasionally, so after some convincing, the bus driver took eight of them on a road trip to my Mom’s house for lunch and cards.  This was her version of the ever-popular senior trip.

After responding to one of her friends last week about what I did for a living, she replied, "Boy, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree."  I guess she was right.  My love of bringing people together and planning activities stems from watching my mom do it for my entire life. 

In Dead Poets Society, John Keating encouraged the boys in his class to look at life in a different way by standing on their desks.  He also taught them valuable lessons about what is really important.  Not everyone gets to step away from daily life and reflect upon days gone by like I did these past two weeks, but I encourage you to slow down to reflect upon where you’ve been and where you are going....and by all means, seize the day.

P.S.  The player piano is coming to our house.  Don’t be surprised if you hear us singing.

Jan Peterson Hincapie, CPRP
Director of Parks and Recreation
Village of Lincolnwood