A Farewell Letter from Robert Alston

January 19, 2010

Dear Residents:

It has been known for some time now regarding my retirement. In fact, so long some residents have said “goodbye” several different times. One resident spoke the obvious by asking, “You haven’t left yet?” Maybe that is what one is left with when the question is asked too many times, “Have you left yet?” The nice thing is I have been sufficiently wished well with good luck to feel as though there has been a spiritual “laying on of hands” offering an aura of protection for many years to come.

You have been so very gracious not just of my now factual (it’s real!) departure this week. Your kindness and friendship extend over many years. It has been one of the joys of the job to become acquainted with you, in many situations to live with you through challenge. I regret the lost opportunities to know all of you with the intimacy of close friendship. I leave with cherished memories to embrace those quiet moments of contemplation. I leave, however, confident of the continuing leadership and direction coming from the Friendship Senior Options and Friendship Village Boards of Directors. Importantly, I am especially proud of our new President and Chief Executive Officer, Steve Yenchek, and his superb team of staff officers and directors. They are backed by no doubt the most exemplary team of associates within our field today. The dedication and loyalty of these six hundred employees are instructive to all of us. I look forward to staying in touch with the organization’s progress toward the future.

Thirteen years ago we charted a course to position Friendship Village to continue the best of its then twenty year history while transforming our community to offer existing and future residents exceptional facilities, services and programs. A dynamic and competitive market place was underway, and our goal was to become the very best of these communities. As a result, to ensure both continuity and longevity of service so that there is pride in what we offer and, importantly, residents would find comfort in the organization’s stability. These efforts continue, but there is no doubt we are better positioned today to meet the challenges of the times in which we live. The coming years will be exciting as the work progresses, and the ambitions we all have for Friendship Village and Friendship Senior Options, are actualized.

You have taught me so much which I attempt to incorporate into my daily life. It can best be summarized in a love of today, courage in the face of tribulation, the importance of making and having friends, patience – yet a striving for improving, doing instead of wishing, and humor. From you, I am learning not to take myself so seriously, for there are things over which we have control, but much we simply cannot change. You taught me there is an “art” to happiness. In the first place, we must want happiness to gain it; we must act happy to be happy; we must learn to deal with but let go of burdens which, if persisted and nursed, will rob us of the joy of our days. I have had the good fortune to observe you day-to-day as you interact, and what I have learned is this: life comes to you only by your going toward life. You exemplify this later with such robust enthusiasm it is certification to me of its truism. Thank you so much for these and the other lessons you so willingly shared with me sometimes not even to your knowing. I am very, very proud of all of you!

Lib and I are at that place of new beginnings, which, as I shared with the Board of Directors, was a personal ambition earlier for the naming of the faux bridge at the entrance to our campus: “The Bridge to New Beginnings!” It is not my first idea that did not make the grade. You know well about new beginnings. I always have so enjoyed the planning phase while observing and working on the implementation of a new project or program. As such, this new phase for Lib and me we embrace with excitement and a strong planning effort. At the same time, there will be those special places where we will husband and recall the innumerable and wondrous memories of our days at Friendship Village. Thank you so much for the privilege of serving you. No retiring chief executive officer could have a better way to end a career. My best to all of you.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Alston