If it is true that variety is the spice of life, Lois Brown Dale, executive dirctor of Clermont Senior Services, Inc. (a United Way Agency) provices the "spice" for this week's Senior Scene column. This beautifl column, wrtten by Lois, is sure to touch your heart.
****
"Without friends one is never a whole person." Recently I heard that statement and it gave new meaning for me to the social centers and congregate meal centers.
Eighteen years ago, Oct. 169, we began a project that opened four one-day-a-week social centers: Batavia, Bethel, New Richmond and then Milford. Bethel Methodist Church, American Legion halls at Milford and New Richmond and the YWCA, opened their doos and welcomed those persons eager to make new friends and renew old friendships. (Some found relatives they had not seen since high school).
It was a lovely time as I, too, made new friends and began to unravel the mystery and pain of widowhood, trying to become a whole person again.
I learned to play cards, (never before my favorite way to while away time), the the joy of being with others and the fun of matching wits soon brought cries of "come on fill in here, we need a fourth." I made new friends as programs were planned as well as crafts and activities with the center participants.
We worked together making nighties for Children's Hospital, lap robes and bibs for veterans in the hospitals, layettes for newborns of needy mothers, tray favors for nursing homes for special occasions, Christmas ornaments for the home-bound, dresses and shirts and scarves and hats and mittens for little ones, dressed dolls for Christmas, held white elephant sales to generate dollars to help young people go to their proms.
It was fellowship to be treasured as we planed outings together, attended ball games, went to picnics and short trips and enjoyed the trips of others through slides and talks.
All of this is still going on 18 years later.
Learning of other persons' life struggles and overcoming adversity and periods of wonderous pleasure as they raised their children or nieces or nephews, or with one childless family and their 131 foster children, made my life richer and gave it meaning.
The bingo games and dominoes were a part of being together and sharing. Shuffle board and pool for the men also contributed to the sense of social well-being as they came together to define and settle the world's problems.
We are all different yet all the same in our need for contact with fellow humans. We are social beings and watching the "newcomers" at the centers, as they re made welcome - some shy, some determinded to remain a bit independent, some eager and outgoing, but all needing companionship. The centers are a blessing to the community as they help to meet the needs of those persons who attend.
We should not be critical or judgmental about the needs of others. Recently, Robert Webb, an editorial writer (Cincinnati Enquirer) quoted in his column the following from Dr. Jerald D. Richmond, educator:
"He asks: 'Do our own elderly and ill citizens deserve less? Are contributing and caring members of our society to be shuttled around like so many old boxes on dusty shelves because they are unfortunate enough to grow both old and ill at the the same time? I hope not! They deserve our best effort.'
Richmond is, of course, right." (says Robert Webb in his column).
Lois continues . . . I am always saddened when I vist the centers and miss familiar faces. A lot happens in 18 years to older persons. Deteriorating health, loss of family members, nothing stays the same.
Sometime ago, a woman said to me, "Six days a week, I can scarcely drag myself out of bed, my arthritis hurts so, but on that seventh day, I am up, bathed, powdered and painted and fed by 7 a.m., waiting for the bus, (it doesn't come until 9 a.m.) to pick me up to go to the center for a good meal and to meet friends. For a little white I forget my troubles and whn I comehome, I think about all I did that day. I think I'd just curl up and die if I didn't have the center.
Now, 18 years later, the centers offer many health and nutrition education programs, a variety of health screening services. Many participants are volutneers, as friendly visitors for the home bound, Telecare visiting (phone calls), helping at the centers, planning activities and crafts. There is a whold lot of hugging and patting as the center participants stream off the buses and meet each other.
Community service is a continuing one, doing all the things we started out with and adding many more. Goodness is the greatest force in this world. It overcomes meaness and pettiness. I'm grateful for the goodness and kindness of many persons as the centers have grown.
Written by Lois Brown Dale - Oct. 6th, 1987
No comments:
Post a Comment