It meant the world to them that we showed up with our decorated bags full of Valentine cards to hand out in that hot and crowded room. Out of respect and ethics I can not post the endearing photos that moved my heart and caused me to reconsider the importance of our time at the nursing home today.
To be completely honest as the time drew near I did not want to go. I did not want to expend all of the energy it was going to take to make *it* happen. *It* was preparing Valentine cards to hand out to 200 residents at a nearby nursing home. It had been a long week and I would have much rather stayed home and finally relaxed after helping with writing report papers on whooper cranes, parsing Latin sentences, and overseeing long division Math tests. But I had given my word that I would be there and as a board member of my homeschool group I couldn't back out now. It wouldn't be the right thing to do. No matter how tired I felt at the moment.
It wasn't long after we arrived that I realized that there was a whole lot more taking place than just 20+ kids handing out Valentine cards. There was a noble transformation taking place in my boys. They were learning and experiencing something that I could have never taught them from a book. As we walked the halls and spoke with these gentle and warm people, my boys were suddenly realizing that with each moment of contact they were making a noticeable difference in someone else's life. They saw it on the people's faces and heard it with their own ears.
I stood back amazed as my 7yo casually went up to a wheelchaired lady and laid his hand on her shoulder and said, "I came here to wish you a Happy Valentines Day". He then bent over and hugged her and said, "I love you" in the way that only a child can. (yes, my heart was all puddles) It was as if they were realizing the unspoken need of the elderly to be touched, recognized and loved on. What was even greater was seeing them comprehend that they could meet that need and that understanding brought joy to them. 
In such a short time, I watched a few hugs teach my boys that in giving of ourselves we get back something far greater: The joy of knowing we have made a difference. This seemed to awaken a necessary desire in them to want to help others. When we left today both of them were saying, "Mom, when can we go back those people really did enjoy having us there"?
I realize now that we almost missed this great opportunity not only to give but to get back from it a lesson that changed my boy's life.
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26 comments:
Oh Beth, how touching! It just warmed my heart reading this and I want to reach out and give your boys a hug for being such sweet gentlemen.
That is so wonderful. It made me tear up, so I can only imagine how you must be feeling. :)
I did this with my girls last Christmas. We made home made goodies and bought new slippers and robes for all the residents in a small home near us. We took my daughter's gymnastics team. I felt like you first did. I had worked all day, I was tired, it was late and cold... but by the time we got there and shared and played bingo and loved and laughed... I didn't want to go. Neither did my girls. It truly is a beautiful thing to see kids give and understand with the heart.
oh, your precious boys.
And Bless You, Beth, for following thru.
I'm all teary-eyed, too.
what a blessing, thank you so much for sharing. I wish I could do this with my boys here in Hungary, but they don't let you. It is weird. I am going to look into other things as well... as soon as they speak the language
As a graaddaughter to a beautiful woman in a nursing home, I say: "Thank you, Beth!" You have no idea how much you touched their hearts by that gesture. Truly!
That is wonderful....I am sure each resident was "touched"!
-sandy toe
This made me think...and cry.
What an absolutely beautiful way for your family to celebrate Valentine's Day! Your boys learned more lessons in that brief time period than they probably would have learned in 10 hours of schooling. That's wonderful!
What a great idea! I think we should consider this for our home school group next year.
Thanks for sharing this lovely anecdote. Our homeschool family joins with a group of mothers and tots once a month to do crafts with the seniors at our local 'home'. The group is called 'Kids With Heart'. Our kids are older , and help both the tots and the elders to complete their crafts. Over the last three years they have formed relationships with some of the residents, who recognize them and look for their hugs. As you point out, these relationships are very important to a growing character as well as to the seniors. The more chances we get to reach out, the more human we become.
pax. Loretta
Your post made my eyes fill with tears. If more of us taught our boys how to love instead of conjugating verbs, this world would be a better place. *hugs*
Thanks, Beth. This spurs me on to love and good works.
This post simply touched my heart! The photo at the top almost made me cry. I spent endless hours every day at the nursing home with my Dad last year just before he passed away, and got to know several of the other residents. They all have a story, a history and a heart. My kids used to light up their day when they'd walk into the home. You will be blessed for going there today! Those people need love, touch and compassion more than you know.
Again, awesome post!!! Have a most wonderful Valentine's Day! We spent the day packing up more 'stuff'. Fun fun. Tomorrow we're going out for dinner to make up for today.
Hugs,
Elinor
Oh I love that. I don't know why I've never thought of going to the nursing home on Valentine's Day. We usually go at Christmas and other random times. Do you know how amazing you are?
Beautiful! It takes so little to bless others sometimes, but we forget easily. Faithful Father uses our small gifts.
What a beautiful story. It is often the kindness of people we don't know well that carries us through the difficult times in our lives. Very touched by this story.
Oh wow!!!
Just mopping up my heart off the floor! What a great lesson-not just for your boys, but for all of us!
Blessings!
I do work at SEU for Mrs. Rutland. It's just the two of us in the office. We manage about 100 in volunteer leadership who serve almost 600 freshman & transfer students.
Dr. & Mrs. Rutland are just amazing people. I will miss her terribly, but I know we will keep in touch. She still talks about their days doing the Youth Advance camps!
WOW! that is incredible. I wish I had been a part of something like that. I need to slow down, and start thinking of such things.
Thank you for a great post.
Came by way of Becca's blog. What a beautiful post and a beautiful lesson for the children. What a blessing for all involved!
Beth, what an outstanding experience. You are a wonderful Mother. What a great lesson for your fine children.
Matthew 25:40 (King James Version)
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Love ya,
Uncle Oscar
You have a beautiful family ~ what a sweet way to enjoy Valentine's. You have created quite the memories for all of you.
Well, I came to your blog to view your wonder entry for this week and kept reading. I'm so glad I did. This is a wonderful reminder to be teaching my children to be a blessing.
Wow, what a great post! I'm so glad you didn't miss out on that blessing. Your boys are precious.
Kellie
This is beautiful. What an amazing opportunity to serve...well done for putting in the effort and more of a gem because your flesh didn't even feel like doing it!
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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts! I read every comment and appreciate them all. Beth