Sustaining for the Future

By Mrs. Donna D. Ballenger

Donna BallengerI grew up in a modest home with my parents and sister. Dad was a dentist. Throughout his career, he cleaned teeth for $2. Just think of that in comparison to what we pay today for teeth cleaning! My own work career entitled me to a pension from a company that has stood the test of time.

As God would have it, my best friend was an investment advisor; she encouraged me to invest my savings and then advised me on what to invest in. Her recommendations were long-term investments. I didn’t like the idea of following the highs and lows or of jumping in and out of the market. When a stock proved to be a good one, I stuck with it—for more than 50 years in a couple of cases. And that practice served me better than I ever imagined possible.

A few years ago, I set up an annuity and allocated a percentage to Arden Wood as one of my beneficiaries. The incentive to do that is the simple fact that Arden Wood takes such good care of people who come here. It’s a lovely place to live, and it’s beautifully maintained.

My introduction to Arden Wood occurred when a Pasadena friend, who was a patient at the time, invited me to visit one weekend. I liked it very much, and that’s when I first saw the apartment I’m now living in.

One of the reasons I moved here was knowing that Christian Science nursing care is close by if I ever have a need. I haven’t had one, which says a lot about the quality of thought here. It amazes me that I’ve been a resident for nine years—a week goes by so fast! Life at Arden Wood is well worth sustaining for the future, and setting up an estate plan has given me a way to be a donor both today and after I move on. I’m grateful to be able to support what I love.