Monday, December 10, 2012

A SMALL GESTURE OF CHEER

It's been several months since I've attempted to create anything in my
craft room.

I always take the summer off from crafting, to spend my time outdoors
and I totally enjoyed my summer this year.

Then in September, when I usually get back into crafting, my MIL fell and 
broke her hip.  After surgery to repair her hip with a metal plate
and screws, recovery and rehab, she was finally discharged after 6 weeks
in the hospital.

During those weeks of recovery and rehab, I witnessed many things in the
hospital environment.  I came to realize that
 the circle of life is relatively short. 
 You have to accept the things you can't change, 
cherish what you do have 
and look at each new day as a gift. 

Patience, forgiveness, understanding, compassion ... they all
matter and can make a big difference in what you see
when you look into a mirror.

After a stay with us, Mom decided that she really wanted to live
somewhere with people here own age and still have
 a bit of privacy and independence.  So, her house was listed and sold
and she now lives in an assisted living retirement home.

In the few short weeks that she has been living there, I have met
several of the residents and I am absolutely dumbfounded as to
how many of them rarely, if ever, see any of their family members.
Some of them have literally been put in there and forgotten about.

So, I decided that my first craft project was going to be a little goodie box, 
to be placed at each place setting on Christmas Eve at dinner.  
Even though it is a very small gesture, 
I wanted each resident to know that someone is thinking about them.




There are 66 residents so the preparation of 66+ boxes took a few days but
it was time well spent and it felt soooo good to create again.

Maybe this Christmas Season, you could consider remembering
those seniors who are not able to live independently
anymore and rely on the kindness and compassion of those
who care for them, many who are not their own family members.
And just remember, if we are fortunate enough, we will all 
be seniors one day.

Thanks for stopping by.

~Bonnie~




8 comments:

Myrna said...

Bonnie
You are a wonderful lady.
Bless you for thinking of those people. It will mean a lot to them.
Myrna

Patti J said...

It's so good to see you here today, Bonnie! You are so thoughtful - I know the recipients will be thrilled with these lovely gifts. Thanks for sharing, and for inspiring me to do the same. Hugs...

Gail said...

That's wonderful!
And you're right, about residents not seeing their families!
I can give you ideas/ boy can I give you ideas!
Our seniors home in town is without an activity co-ordinator again.

Lee said...

Hi Bonnie,good to see your post.This brought tears to my eyes,what a wonderful gesture,your creations are so pretty,I can just see their eyes light up with joy.Christmas Huggles to you all.xxx

Sande said...

I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to tell you what a wonderful thing your are doing.

You have given me some inspiration for the day being a disabled senior myself.

Have a blessed Christmas and I am sure those seniors are going to cherish the memory of your gift for always.

Teresa said...

HELLO BONNIE!!!
It's so lovely to see you back in blog-land, you've been missed. I'm so sorry to read what happened to you Mom, I hope she's fully recovered now. It's a wonderful gesture you are doing for the older folk it really is, you will make there Christmas very special indeed. Take care and have a super Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year. Teresa xx

Allison Rankin said...

I am sure they loved them...sweet image choice too!

Curt in Indy said...

Why am I not surprised at what you did for those dear folks? You are one of the nicest people I know. Your MIL has to be so proud to call you her DIL. Extra hugs. . .Curt