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".