When Wayne and I began singing at nursing homes and assisted living facilities we were amazed at the response of the people.
Some who did not seem to even be there mentally would stare off into space, but you see a finger moving ever so slightly to the beat of the music.
One who, according to one of the nursing assistants, had never spoken since arriving sang along with some of the oldies songs we were playing.
The joy of seeing people singing or closing their eyes and smiling to themselves while we are singing and joking around with each other means so much to us, we just cannot stop. We even make our vacation plans around our singing schedule. We love to bring during our scheduled time with those we serve. It is so much fun.
This last year we began helping serve the homeless or in need with the wonderful ladies and gentlemen who cook and serve 30-70 meals to some very polite and thankful people.
When you start hearing how much the seniors smile or laugh when they read the simple card you sent to them, your heart will melt. You will learn how their appreciation of that simple gesture touches you more than you could ever anticipate.
Donuts = Happiness
Krispy Kreme was having two dozen glazed for a good sale price on Easter Sunday. Wayne and I went by the store closest to us an took them straight to the Fire Station close to us. The two firemen that open the door were young enough to be our grandchildren. The smile on their faces, when I handed them the bag, took over their faces. We talked about where we live, and they named a street or two near ours. We told them how much we appreciate them and their service, especially in our “senior” subdivision.
Tomorrow we are taking several boxes of cookies, baked by the grocery store, to the other fire station that severs our neighborhood.
As I said, once you start you will most likely want to continue encouraging your neighbors or letting those who serve you know that you appreciate them. But if you find that you have possibly done more than you can keep doing for an extended time, then make a change. You cannot just stop but you can reduce what you do. Consider, slowing down a bit, select specific facilities to visit or send cards to; cut down on how often you visit or send cards to say every other month.
The one thing I do want to make perfectly clear, “don’t start this now and think that when things are back to normal that you can stop.”
People will always need to know that they are appreciated, the elderly or ill will always need to know they are not forgotten.
Little Moments that Last a Lifetime
American’s have a short memory, often we see an outpouring of love and caring during or shortly after a crisis, but that seems to be overwhelmed by the personal daily struggles of life very quickly for many good intentions.
They may not remember your name, but they will remember what you did for them and how it made them feel. You too will most likely remember how it made you feel and how long that feeling lasted.
We are to love our neighbors as ourselves, not just in the worst of times but in the good times as well.
During this time of turmoil and once it is over, when things return to what could be a new normal turn to these verses in God’s Word for instruction and comfort.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:6-9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)