Friday, January 15, 2010
Haiti
I can hardly believe the tragedy in Haiti. My heart hurts for the people there. Please, pray for them. It's just an unimaginable nightmare.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Happy New Year!! Can you believe 2010 is finally here? Crazy!
I've been so busy since Thanksgiving...who hasn't been? Christmas was different this year. My husband had to work until 8pm so it was just the girls and I at home. We played games and I stopped by the retirement home for a couple of hours. I was actually surprised to see how many of the residents had left to spend the day with family. I was very happy to see that.
I brought with me a bag I filled with small blankets, calendars, chapstick and boxes of tissues. How happy the residents were to have received even a small gift. It didn't take much time to make people feel loved. Isn't that what we all want?
Anyway, my family didn't open gifts until 8pm. My girls were quite anxious to "get down to business". We went to bed shortly after and then, the next morning, both girls had to go to work. No time to really "play" with our new toys. I will say, however, that this is the first year I ever remember feeling like the holidays were still here the morning after Christmas and the whole week after. I usually feel like the 26th of December marks the end of the holidays. I also usually feel silly even turning Christmas tree lights on after Christmas. But, this year, I don't feel that way. I won't wait too long though...the tree will come down on Jan. 2 :0)
Happy New Year, everyone!
I've been so busy since Thanksgiving...who hasn't been? Christmas was different this year. My husband had to work until 8pm so it was just the girls and I at home. We played games and I stopped by the retirement home for a couple of hours. I was actually surprised to see how many of the residents had left to spend the day with family. I was very happy to see that.
I brought with me a bag I filled with small blankets, calendars, chapstick and boxes of tissues. How happy the residents were to have received even a small gift. It didn't take much time to make people feel loved. Isn't that what we all want?
Anyway, my family didn't open gifts until 8pm. My girls were quite anxious to "get down to business". We went to bed shortly after and then, the next morning, both girls had to go to work. No time to really "play" with our new toys. I will say, however, that this is the first year I ever remember feeling like the holidays were still here the morning after Christmas and the whole week after. I usually feel like the 26th of December marks the end of the holidays. I also usually feel silly even turning Christmas tree lights on after Christmas. But, this year, I don't feel that way. I won't wait too long though...the tree will come down on Jan. 2 :0)
Happy New Year, everyone!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
With Thanksgiving coming tomorrow, I have a lot to do today! My girls will be coming home from college for the weekend and I want them to have a fun, relaxing time at home. I will begin preparing for Thanksgiving dinner today...making jellos, cutting up celery and onions for the stuffing, and getting the table ready. I love the holidays : )
I visited the retirement home yesterday and, as usual, it was wonderful. I so enjoy being able to pour into the lives of the residents there. It's amazing to see their faces light up when I walk into the room. I love making them laugh, touching their hands, and just letting them know that someone cares.
After doing room visits, I went into the cafeteria just before lunch was to be served as said "hello" to the residents there, too. I had a backpack on that looked like a stuffed dog. It has a zippered compartment where I hold my phone and glasses. I could've chosen a different bag to carry those things, but, thought this one might be a conversation starter. While stopped at one of the tables, a resident asked me, "Why do you have a puppy on your back"? And, I said, "So someone will ask me why I have a puppy on my back". She again asked, "So then, why do you have a puppy on your back"? To which I again answered, "So someone will ask me why I have a puppy on my back". She turned to another resident at the table and exclaimed with a smile, "I won't fall into that trap again"! Then all the ladies at the table laughed. They so enjoyed having "company" and I so enjoyed visiting with them.
If you've never volunteered at a retirement home...you should. It is so rewarding.
Have an awesome Thanksgiving!
I visited the retirement home yesterday and, as usual, it was wonderful. I so enjoy being able to pour into the lives of the residents there. It's amazing to see their faces light up when I walk into the room. I love making them laugh, touching their hands, and just letting them know that someone cares.
After doing room visits, I went into the cafeteria just before lunch was to be served as said "hello" to the residents there, too. I had a backpack on that looked like a stuffed dog. It has a zippered compartment where I hold my phone and glasses. I could've chosen a different bag to carry those things, but, thought this one might be a conversation starter. While stopped at one of the tables, a resident asked me, "Why do you have a puppy on your back"? And, I said, "So someone will ask me why I have a puppy on my back". She again asked, "So then, why do you have a puppy on your back"? To which I again answered, "So someone will ask me why I have a puppy on my back". She turned to another resident at the table and exclaimed with a smile, "I won't fall into that trap again"! Then all the ladies at the table laughed. They so enjoyed having "company" and I so enjoyed visiting with them.
If you've never volunteered at a retirement home...you should. It is so rewarding.
Have an awesome Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
This is the second week I've been volunteering at the local retirement/nursing home. I really enjoy doing the room visits as many of the people I see are so happy to have a visitor. I know I need to be careful not to burn myself out by doing room visits so frequently. I will probably break up the list of names of those I've been given to visit into 2 different visits so I don't overwhelm myself. That way I can spend time helping with activities, too.
These people just need some human companionship and compassion. Just yesterday, a resident was recalling his "most joyous Christmas". 1928...his mother gathered him and his siblings to tell them they had no money for Christmas. She gave them the small amount of candy she had (which included pulled taffy) that the children then divided between themselves. All the children made up games that they played for hours. He had such a big smile on his face when he was recalling this Christmas memory from when he was only 4!
It makes such a difference to just smile and listen. Of course, there are residents who cannot respond, but, a touch on their hand or shoulder tells me, "someone's home".
These people just need some human companionship and compassion. Just yesterday, a resident was recalling his "most joyous Christmas". 1928...his mother gathered him and his siblings to tell them they had no money for Christmas. She gave them the small amount of candy she had (which included pulled taffy) that the children then divided between themselves. All the children made up games that they played for hours. He had such a big smile on his face when he was recalling this Christmas memory from when he was only 4!
It makes such a difference to just smile and listen. Of course, there are residents who cannot respond, but, a touch on their hand or shoulder tells me, "someone's home".
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