The day almost passed by without me getting my Faithful Friday post in, but I made it! :) I've been trying to get to it all day....instead I managed to visit my blogging friends!
This evening, I've been thinking about what a blessing I get when we visit the Nursing Home every week. Now the idea was to go and be a blessing to the residents, but the funny thing is that I'm the one blessed when we leave! I just love the smiles! All my worries disappear while I'm there. I think about the lives they've lived, the families they've raised, their history, and where they are....and most of them still just have the sweetest smiles all the time, especially for us! And the staff there really treat them well! That's a blessing to see too!
There is one man, Mr. J, that is quite the gentleman! We reach out to shake his hand and he never fails to kiss our hand! There's Ms. G who never remembers me exactly from week to week, and she always wonders how I remember her name. She's always most grateful for me helping her with Bingo (and tries to give me her prizes). There's Ms. J who looks forward to our weekly visit to her room. She seems to have been quite the classy lady and loves when we bring her extra Diet Cokes! She told the girls she had never had a birthday party before in her life and I think she was 84. So the girls decided to do something about that. We took a sugar-free birthday cake (she's a diabetic), some diet cokes and gifts. We gave her a little party right there in her room. You would have thought we gave her a million dollars! She loved it so much! There's also Ms. D who is quite the pianist and the cut-up as well! She is the most positive, up-beat person you would ever want to meet! Then there's Mr. O, who seems quite stern at first. He's been quite the challenge to "get through that seriousness", but once we did, boy was it worth it! I love his smile especially! And Ms. Ollie, a family friend, is especially hard for me. I knew her as the spunky lady who raised her children alone. She now has Alzheimers as well as cancer. It's hard to see her like this, but worth it when she puckers up and kisses us on the forehead. We enjoy seeing Mr. O.D. too in his big cowboy hat. When he had his motorized scooter, he would give Joy a ride on it (he calls her "his girl"). His real girl though is Ms. D (remember the pianist from above????) lol! We love Ms. W who seems so young and artistic and we love her bright red hair! There are so many more, we just love them all! :)
In the beginning, when we began going to the Nursing Home, we hoped to be a blessing to these folks. We take along two of Joy's friends, Molly Grace and Kasey each week, and sometimes Molly Graces' mom, Lori, goes too. The girls have called themselves K.I.S.S. (Kids In Seniors' Service). We help the residents with Bingo and occasionally bring prizes for the cart, then visit them in their rooms afterwards. But as much as we meant to be a blessing to them, I have to admit that part of my reason now is a selfish one.....I go to be blessed!
Joy has written a little more about the Nursing Home over on her Faithful Fridays post too. I sure am glad you thought of Faithful Fridays, Joy!
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I would also like to thank Patty for the awards (Friends and Sisterhood) she sent my way too.
I've enjoyed Patty's blog and love reading about her family, her faith in God, and she has the best recipes to share too! Her love for her husband and girls just shines through on her posts and her kind words along with these awards are most treasured! Thank you so much, Patty (for the awards and your friendship).
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**EDITED** It's Saturday now and I'd like to ask for prayer, for those who will, please! My Joy is sick today with a fever of 101 and as I mentioned before, we have our State homeschool testing this Tuesday. She has to test and I am the coordinator and of course, tomorrow is Easter. I'd appreciate your prayers for a speedy recovery for her! (And that the rest of us don't get whatever it is she has)! Of course, she's going to be sick on a Saturday when the Dr.'s office is closed! :) Thanks so much for your prayers!
Have a great day and a Blessed Easter!
