Oh-So-Ordinary

It was more painful than I would have thought- seeing my Mom in isolation, because of precautionary measures at The Home where she is living.  She was so weary, that she often refused or just could not open her eyes.  From eating independently, she went to needing someone to feed her, regularly.  To enter her room, I had to “gown up,” put on protective gloves and wear a surgical mask.  I do know that a number of things conspired against her during this past difficult week.

She got the flu vaccine.  (I am not interested in having an argument about whether or not this is helpful.  I am just stating it as a fact).  She started on a new medication that we hoped would work well with Aricept, in at least slowing down the progressive nature of the Dementia.  Some residents had gotten the flu, so Tamiflu was administered.  Mom had a head cold, which worried me as I was concerned that it would go down into her chest.  This is the week that was.

Visiting her today, I was so relieved to find her smiling, chatty, and witty.  I told her that her youngest son would soon be 5o years old, and that I was already 60.  She gave me that: “You’re kidding me,” kind of look, out of the corner of her eye.  Then I asked her: “And how old are you, Mom?”  Her answer: “I don’t really know.”  So I started counting: “70, 80, 90.”  “That’s far enough,” she said, and laughed out loud.  Music to my ears, was this bubbling-over joy.  I told her she was 94 years young.

I reminded Mom that we had made a deal, a few years back.  She still gets her hair coloured and she had asked me: “If I stop colouring my hair, will it be silver like yours or will it be a boring grey?”  I had to tell her the truth: “More than likely, it will be mousy-grey, Mom.”  We agreed that she would keep colouring her hair until she turned 95.  Her grin told me that she was delighted not to have yet reached that age.

Our lives are really made up of oh-so-ordinary days.  For Mom, it is now oh-so-ordinary moments.  Transforming one of those moments into a sweet and touching event is one my greatest of joys.  When I had been in to see Mom while she was sleeping, I simply held her hand and sang hymns.  Tears flowed- bittersweet tears.  A grief almost too painful to bear, mixed with the sublime realization that in Christ, all things have been made new, even here and even now.  And, this worthwhile life will soon be transformed to a much higher plane.

In Christ alone, my hope is found.  He is my light, my strength, my song.

This Cornerstone.  This solid ground.  Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love.  What depths pf peace.
When fears are stilled.  When strivings cease.

My Comforter.  My all in all.  Here in the love of Christ I stand.

~ Stuart Townend ~

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCeSOY5tisI

Enough Love

Je suis si bienvenue; si connue. 

Dans la royaume de Jésus.

Aimée d’un amour éternel.

Si bienvenue.  Si connue.

So welcomed; so well- known.

Part of His kingdom; Jesus on His throne.

Loved with everlasting love

I am so welcomed; so well-known.

Abundant Love

Today, our pastor spoke about God SO LOVING THE WORLD, that He gave His only begotten Son, (Jesus).  We’ve often heard that if we just loved God more, we would be automatically serving others, giving generously and worship extravagantly.  But this morning’s message turned that on its head.  The bottom line: If you could only grasp HOW MUCH God loves you, it will then lead to all of the above.  I especially appreciated the 5 instances where Pastor Pernell pointed out how John the Apostle preferred to call himself: “The one whom Jesus loved.”   Hence, John’s love, service and worship were based on Jesus’ love for him, not John’s worked-for, works-based love for God.  John got it right and so can we. 

Serving a vulnerable population means putting yourself out there; loving people because I know that God loves them; advocating for others, because of their intrinsic worth in Christ- who loves us and gave Himself for us.  Honestly, it means I have nothing to lose if someone does not love me back; just like Jesus!  And, quite frankly, those living in The Home, (in long-term care), may not always be able to show gratitude or love in some grandiose way, but they sure know how to hug and smile and hold on to your hand so tightly that you can’t possibly leave.  That’s the mindset I want, as I visit in The Home.  That’s the kind of abundant love and life that Jesus speaks of when He said: “I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly” (John 10:10).  That’s the Saviour who I want to know more and more- meeting with Him in prayer and learning more of him through His word, the Bible.

Given that our prime motivation can be solidly based on God’s great love for us, how can we apply this to being a volunteer at The Home?  I’ve been thinking that a partial list may help you to consider spending some of your time volunteering there.  Looking at 5 domains, we’ll see that many modified programs provide opportunities for residents to enjoy and give exciting prospects for your participation.  We’ll look at a separate “Community Outings” list in our next post.  

The categories can be somewhat interchangeable, and my Mom has been pretty much game for anything.  Even though it has been difficult to see her change, because of Dementia, she can still participate in so many ways.  Her favourite activities – dancing and organizing items.

Physical:  Fitness classes, bowling, floor hockey, darts, pool noodle volleyball, giant Kerplunk, parachute, kickball, dancing, recycling, decorating, wheelchair rides, chores, walking group

Spiritual:  Church programs, Bible studies, choirs, meditation, yoga

Social:  Kitchen helpers, cooking, movies and popcorn, bingo, lunch groups, Spa days, Happy Hour, dance groups, painting, quilting, knitting, monthly birthday parties, special meals where family members   join their loved one: Christmas, Easter, Valentines, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day.  Lip Syncs.  Yes, The Home where Mom is living has had a Christmas Lip Sync for the past few years!

Emotional:  Music therapy, pet visits, singing, live music, manicures, Day-Care visitors, meal-time, holding someone’s hand, singing one-on-one, reading old stories, showing old pictures, campfires

Intellectual:  Reading group, puzzles, crosswords, writing letters, trivia, scrapbooking, arts and crafts, painting, Pictionary, card games, organizing, sorting, newspaper discussions

It is hard to imagine that you could not find some way to help!  You would be part of a team and soon enough, you would feel that both the residents and the staff are your extended family. 

Will you find out just how much God Loves You? 

And will you invest His love, by visiting at The Home?