When I work I have the "Widows Wing". I go down this wing before each activity and check to see who would like to come. You get to know the ones who will come and the ones who would just like to chat with you a bit and then have you leave (without them!) John was one of those who loved to visit... but, he didn't usually come to many activities. He had a bad winter health wise and spent some time in the hospital and then recovering in his room at the end of the hall. They have said that only a tiny bit of his heart was working as it should be.
The one activity that John usually came to (and many times his wife led)... was the rosary. We have a volunteer from the Catholic Church come in to say the rosary with the residents once a week on Mondays at 9:30.
The unique thing I found about John was that almost every time I went in to his room to see how he was doing he would have his rosary beads in his hands. He would always stop to talk to me a bit and tell me what he was praying for... his grandson running the farm land - that he would be able to get all of his work done. His grandson that was going to graduate from college - that all would go well for him as he was looking for a job. His wife - that they would be able to celebrate their anniversary together with family and friends and he would be healthy for the celebration. His staff, the world, the president, those in the armed forces, farmers, and ME.
Rosary beads would be in his hands - so beautiful against his aged hands, changed in form from arthritis. He was talking with God, and God could entertain him in ways that I could not. So I would leave his room with a new bounce in my step - he would give you a smile as you were leaving - that would warm any woman's heart and you knew you were being prayed for.
Today John left the dining room from eating breakfast, he joked with a few of the staff, wheeled his chair towards the end of his wing and died. I believe he was on his way to say the Rosary.
Blessed be the memory of this wonderful man - the smile that he gave to all, even as he was leaving...and Lord, help us to be the example that he was - always with a prayer on our lips for others.
The one activity that John usually came to (and many times his wife led)... was the rosary. We have a volunteer from the Catholic Church come in to say the rosary with the residents once a week on Mondays at 9:30.
The unique thing I found about John was that almost every time I went in to his room to see how he was doing he would have his rosary beads in his hands. He would always stop to talk to me a bit and tell me what he was praying for... his grandson running the farm land - that he would be able to get all of his work done. His grandson that was going to graduate from college - that all would go well for him as he was looking for a job. His wife - that they would be able to celebrate their anniversary together with family and friends and he would be healthy for the celebration. His staff, the world, the president, those in the armed forces, farmers, and ME.
Rosary beads would be in his hands - so beautiful against his aged hands, changed in form from arthritis. He was talking with God, and God could entertain him in ways that I could not. So I would leave his room with a new bounce in my step - he would give you a smile as you were leaving - that would warm any woman's heart and you knew you were being prayed for.
Today John left the dining room from eating breakfast, he joked with a few of the staff, wheeled his chair towards the end of his wing and died. I believe he was on his way to say the Rosary.
Blessed be the memory of this wonderful man - the smile that he gave to all, even as he was leaving...and Lord, help us to be the example that he was - always with a prayer on our lips for others.
(Names and dates have been changed, these stories are true only in my mind)
Oh my gosh ... this was sad. I don't know how you do it but you are in the place you need to be and ARE making a difference in the lives of those you visit, even on their last hurrah.
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