I distinctly remember the first time I visited Comfort, Texas. It was 1978. I was a college freshman and was planning to work my first summer at Hermann Sons Life-Camp as a counselor.
When my Opa and Oma learned of my impending trip they insisted we visit Comfort before summer to meet Tante Emma, my great-great aunt. Family was important to Oma and Opa, and it was especially important that I meet her if we were going to be neighbors for the next three months.
I quickly learned that Hermann Sons Life values were closely aligned with my own when during my first week at Camp we walked up to the Altenheim to meet the residents of our Hermann Sons Life-Retirement Home. After all, we would be neighbors all summer. For me, they would become so much more.
Elizabeth and I and members of our family were among the hundreds of Hermann Sons Life family that attended the 100th Anniversary of the Hermann Sons Life-Retirement Home this past month.
Tante Emma lived to be 100 years old. And I am happy to say the same of our wonderful Retirement Home. When this “Castle on the Hill” was first built it was to be a place of carefree respite for our members. 100 years later it still delivers on the promises made by our forefathers.
It is remarkable for a place such as this to have survived and thrived over the course of a century. It makes me happy when I witness the support it receives from our members and the community of Comfort. And the energy and enthusiasm of the residents, staff and membership will keep the tradition of the Home strong for centuries more.
On the day of the celebration, I talked with children of past residents, people who remember first visiting the Home 50 years ago, citizens of Comfort, proud Hermann Sons Life members and others with fond memories who share a common bond – admiration and affection for this home and the care and friendship which envelops it.
But the most special part of the day was visiting with the residents. Their pride for the Home and their life there is most evident. I thank them for trusting Hermann Sons Life to provide the Home for all of them and for sharing the day with all of us.
At the end of the day a plaque was unveiled honoring the building and the day and dedicated to the past, present and future residents of the Hermann Sons Life-Retirement Home. May this place of solitude, respite and care always be a shining testament to the devotion of Hermann Sons Life members.