Do you ever think about when you get old? I don't want this to be a question you ask yourself with a depressed feeling, but seriously, does it cross your mind? The reason I pose this question is because this weekend my husband and I made a trip to visit his grandfather who lives a couple states away. We had a really great trip. We were able to spend some great quality time with him and take little (easy) field trips. He lives in a very nice facility... one that I hope I would be able to live in if I ever am in his position. We went to his facility several times this past weekend, and I had the opportunity to scan the room at all the faces there. Although they had wrinkles on their faces, difficulty walking, difficulty in remembering... I found myself thinking, "What were they like when they were my age? What were their lives like? What were their dreams and aspirations? Did they ever think of how they would be when they were old?" There was also a church service we attended on Sunday on the property, and I feel like most of the residents were there. We showed up right on time and had to sit in the back! It was very nice to see. This is when I had the most time to reflect and wonder who they are. Every time my husband and I arrived, we had the residents saying, "Hello" with big smiles; we had people introducing themselves to us. One sweet woman said to us this morning, "Good Morning! How was the wedding?!" I smiled and said in a really friendly tone, "Oh... we didn't go to a wedding this weekend." She smiled and said, "Oh, I thought you were here for a wedding..." then she went on her merry way. One sweet thing I witnessed was an interaction with a resident and a young girl who works there. I would say that the resident was in her nineties, and the young worker who was in the dining room had to be in her early twenties. The young worker stopped, sat at the table, and just talked to her. She talked to her like she was a regular person... not like she was an old person. She asked her about her day, what she watches on television... things that we all talk about. The young girl told her how she watches "Jersey Shore", and even taught the resident "Bones". Now, for those of you who might not know what this is, it's when two people put one of their hands in a fist and bump fists with each other. The resident got such a kick out of this! I saw it again this morning, and she smiled so big and bright. It was such a sweet sight. I am sure that these people who work there help keep the residents feel young and valued. I certainly hope so.
The main reason for our trip this weekend was to visit my husband's grandfather. We had such a great time with him. I am so happy and impressed with his attitude. He remains positive in his demeanor and grateful for his blessings. I am very happy to have been a part of this trip, and he is such a sweet man. I am glad I know him and can call him "family".
Right now I am listening to James Taylor and these lyrics are playing right now:
Shower the people you love with love
Show them the way that you feel
I felt like sharing those lyrics. It just seems really nice, doesn't it?
As it has been a busy weekend (and since it is early, early Tuesday morning... yes... I will be busy when I wake up), I decided to write the blog and post it in the wee hours this Tuesday morning. I hope you enjoyed reading about my feelings from this past weekend.
Happy Tuesday to you and yours...
I love that song by James Taylor! Thanks for reminding me of that phrase - and your thoughts about older people and what their lives must have been like are thoughts that I often have. I get particularly emotional when I know they have lived or served in war. Love your musings!
ReplyDeleteKirstin