My youngest went with her student counsil group to sing at a nursing home today. They had to take a stuffed animal for a patient and she took a patriotic beanie babie. We talked about those that don't have much and how Christmas is about giving....and she decided to give with a loving heart. I told her that maybe she could give hers to a man, because it was not a "girly" stuffed animal, and men like things that are patriotic. When she got home, she told me that she gave hers to a man. Then she told me, "I gave it to him because he looked like he might have been in a war." She was so serious, and I had to try not to laugh or cry! It was so sweet. I asked her if she told him Merry Christmas, and she said she whispered it to him because he was "Not all the way asleep, but his eyes were almost closed." She said he had his head in his arms, and she put the bear in the crook of his elbow. I don't know why, but the thought of a child, gently placing a teddy bear in the arms of a nursing home patient brought tears to my eyes. I asked her if the people were happy to see the kids and she said, "Oh yes! Some of them were asleep, but most of them were smiling and clapping and kept saying hi." I know that this trip had an effect on her. My husband thought the trip would be too depressing, but I told him that kids need to learn that everyone deserves love and compassion, no matter how depressing the situation might be. I went with the group last year, and it's so sad to see these mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sitting in a hallway in wheelchairs with no one to talk to. When we went last year, there was one particular lady who was all dressed up, watching the children and smiling....her eyes sparkling with the memory of years past. She grabbed my arm when we walked out and whispered to me, "You know, I was a teacher for 60 years." I congratulated her on her long career, and asked her a few questions. She smiled and squeezed my arm before we left. It makes you realize that the gift of time, of ourselves, can be just as exciting as a brightly wrapped gift; and more fun to give.
3 comments:
I worked in a nursing home for five years. I could picture this whole thing. Yes those trips when the kids come mean so much to them. Most love the children. And I bet many took their gifts to bed with them that night. My fav on the holidays was always hearing one or two ladies singing louder then everyone else and they knew they sounded great.
What a sweet entry. I'm tearing and smiling too. My grandmother took us to visit in an old folks home once a week when we were kids and it left such a lasting impression on me. You're so right... the gift of time is probably the best and most generous of all.
what a giving heart.
Ginny
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