Sometimes I must think if I say something often enough times it will be true.

One thing I have said repeatedly is that I will never move from my sweet little Florida bungalow.

“The only way I will ever leave here is when they carry me out,” I proclaimed.

When I bought my Florida home with the great water view I thought it was the kind of place that would serve me well, no matter how old I get.

It’s small and totally accessible. And one of the best things about it is if I want to see beautiful Florida scenery all I have to do is look outside my own home.

After dinner I like sitting outside watching the birds fly home for the night. Magnificent great white herons nest for the night in their favorite tree while dozens of birds and funny ducks entertain on the ground. It’s an ongoing nature show that I never get tired of watching.

I repeatedly said I would never leave my home.

Yet, here I am, playing the refrain, “should I stay or should I go.” At first I find myself quietly entertaining treacherous thoughts about checking our local senior activity center that is winning so much acclaim.

South Port Square has been described as a big playground for seniors. Every time I went to an event there I was impressed. I have about 12 friends there and they all rave about it.

But that had nothing to do with me until it was getting harder and harder to take care of my husband and still have somewhat of a life of my own.

The refrain in my head kept getting louder. Should we stay or should we go?

When circumstances compelled my daughter Maria to move in with David and me in our small two-bedroom house I began to explore options.

The answer seemed to be South Port. But at our age David and I found it daunting to think of moving.

Again, I heard the refrain, should I stay, or should I go.

I started saying we could try South Port and if we didn’t like it we could move back to my little house.

I liked the thought of going to dinner every night in a center with white tablecloths and great meals — all that without any effort on my part.

And the daily activities seem to lead themselves to a healthier lifestyle.

I would never again have to complain there is no one to talk to.

I’m definitely a people person, but what was once my wonderful neighborhood started disappearing when three hurricanes in two years forced so many of my great neighbors to move away. And the for sale signs keep multiplying.

But there is a downside to South Port, too. Lack of privacy and very small living quarters might take its toll.

And for all the glowing reviews for South Port there were also some frightening bad ones about the medical care in the program.

So, what to do?

I think if we wait for something with only highly positive reviews we might never take a chance on something new.

So I am leaning toward going to South Port.

I would never make that decision if I were younger. But as my husband says, we are not getting any younger and the older we get the more we will need some sort of care down the line.

My daughter Maria says she would take care of me.

That’s fine to say when I am healthy. But I know what happens with reality.

Years ago when my sister told me she was going to have to put my mother in a nursing home, I said no. Not my mother. I said I would take care of her.

I took a vacation and brought my mother to my house. When I had to go back to work I lasted only a few weeks before I was literally falling over with exhaustion.

I learned I couldn’t go to work during the day then stay up all night with my mother’s up-all-night routine.

My next door neighbor told me I’m too young now to go to a senior facility.

But relatively healthy is the only time when South Port Square makes sense.

Give me your feedback.

I never want my daughters to sacrifice themselves by taking care of me if I ever need it.

When a close friend of mine got a phone call saying her mother couldn’t get along by herself she went to help. She quit the job she liked and moved to her mother’s home.

She took care of her mother until Alzheimer’s disease progressed to where it was no longer possible. My friend began passing out and it became clear she couldn’t do it anymore.

While I am still healthy would it be wise for me to plan for when I can’t manage alone?

For that reason South Port might have added appeal.

Should or stay or should I go?

What would you do?

Email Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcast.net