Eusebio Manglal-Lan sits before the piano in the library at The Village of Ridgeview Court. His 90-year-old fingers roll smoothly over the keys as he croons:
“Blue moon,” he sings, “you saw me standing alone . . . without a dream in my heart . . . without a love of my own . . .”
Irah Jane, a Personal Support Worker who has come to know Eusebio well in the short time they’ve been living and working together in the brand-new Village, sings along. She explains that, as she understands it, Eusebio hadn’t played the piano for more than a year until he moved into his new home.
The piano caught his eye almost immediately upon arrival.
“I have been playing since I was 7 years old,” he says. “I was never taught a note—I just play by heart.”
He returns to singing, a wide smile on his face.
Irah Jane says she has come to know Eusebio as a man of faith who always carries a smile. He begins talking about courting his wife—the perfect transition as he moves into the Nat King Cole song he sang for her decades ago.
“I love you, for sentimental reasons . . .” he sings. “I hope you do believe me. I’ll give you my heart.”
Irah Jane has heard this song before, and when he finishes, he speaks with her about the importance of devotion in life when one finds the person they love.
“What I observe from Eusebio is that he is a godly man,” says Irah Jane, “and he has lots of wisdom and lots of love.”
It’s something he shares with each person who moves into the new Village, which officially opened its doors at the end of March, just over two weeks ago.
“When I first came here, they treated me not as a stranger, but welcomed me as part of the family,” he says. “They respect me, and I live my life the same way—you treat your neighbour as you would treat yourself. That is what I feel when I am here.”
In his words, the continuation of the family traditions that guide Schlegel Villages is clearly expressed, and the mission behind those traditions comes to life in a brand-new community.
