When I started this blog, I wanted to make sure this wasn’t about “what I’m doing that is kind” but I want to present ideas to everyone that would help spread kindness in simple ways.
Today I was invited to host a “Holiday Social” for a local senior center, the memory care center. Now many of ya’ll don’t know me in real life, but I love senior citizens, as much as some folks love little kids, one of my friends called me the “geriatric whisperer” and it’s a title I could live with!
This party is near Christmas, but they call it a “Holiday Social” because not everyone celebrates Christmas. The groups that have participated in the past served food such as: angel food cakes, cheese puffs, fresh fruit, cheese trays and diet beverages and that’s a fairly simple menu. (This allows the diabetic folks to have choices and no one is left out due to dietary restrictions.) Also, they will provide prizes for BINGO and small gifts for all members – and the last line broke my heart, “this is such a nice gesture because some of our members do not have family to celebrate with so it really makes them feel valued and appreciated.”
WELL – how could I say no to this opportunity? Bingo at 2pm and refreshments at 3pm.
Ya’ll – I’m going to be asking a couple of places to help provide some things and I’m going to ask for help. I could come up with a lot of reasons to say no – but the one reason I have to say yes is simple, one day I will be old. I’m an only child, with no children. One day I may “be alone with no family to celebrate with” and it’s my goal to treat others the way I want to be treated.
But what an amazing opportunity for any group to serve in – and have fun. I hope someone is interested and will do this.
My friend Helen mentioned this is something necessary, “but I have found that elderly persons LOVE to be asked about their lives…from childhood forward. They have a need to share their history. Very important, too, that the listener draws near (many elderly persons have compromised vision), makes eye contact, and allows the person to feel as if he/she is the only other person in the room” so I would like to suggest – take some friends to go and visit.
You don’t have to do this with a senior center, you can visit a rest home, you can go and visit a community center, you can host people at your church. This is one of those things, if you seek – you will find.
If you take up the #HolidaySocialChallenge, please let me know. Post pictures on Instagram (#MyFriendDeAnna), Twitter (@MyFriendDeAnna1) and Facebook (@MyFriendDeAnna) – feel free to reach out to me at DeAnna@MyFriendDeAnna.com for any kind of pointers / tips / tricks. This is new for me too, so we could learn together.
As always, spread kindness however you can! Feel free to share ideas with me on how kindness is being shared in your community.
Update 10/19 I created a #GoFundMe if anyone would like to donate. The people that have donated are all friends of mine in real life!
All I ever wanted was to reach out and touch another human being not just with my hands but with my heart. – Taher Mafi
My Friend DeAnna 