It wasn’t too long ago that I had received a message from my
same friend about his ailment that turned out to be terminal. I had sent my
friend and his wife a couple of notes to tell them how much I appreciated their
friendship over the last 20 years. I knew that they were a rather private
couple that didn’t necessarily want someone to invade their space. Yet, looking
back I do have a regret that I didn’t make the trek to their home. I needed to
say my ‘earthly’ good-bye and be like a son to them. I didn’t realize until now
that they didn’t have any children and their extended church family were truly
their sons and daughters.
I have the privilege of working with seniors being able to
connect them with kids and teens who need to appreciate them. It’s so difficult
in today’s high tech world to help kids and teens see that seniors, especially
their grandparents, aunts and uncles need their love and attention. I know that
as a semi-rebellious teen I didn’t show a lot of respect to those that were
older. I perceived them to be rather critical and impatient when it came to
their willingness to pay attention to me. Yet, as I have become a senior it
strikes me what I missed out on as a kid, teen and young adult. Now I have the
opportunity of bringing people together to ‘love on’ seniors by painting the exterior
of their homes and more importantly intentionally spend time with them.
Over the last eight years I have connected 1,000’s of
volunteers to paint over 160 homes of grandmas and a few grandpas. I have lots
of friends that represent churches, businesses, schools and colleges that have
taken the time to make a difference in the life of a grandma. I’ve become close
friends to many of these seniors in a way that makes it very difficult when
they draw close to their final days. I will always remember crazy Maria or Mary
who captured my heart as we became friends as I visited the senior center over
a couple of years.
My dream is to be intentional about connecting youth and ‘us’
seniors. I want to help create a bridge between the elderly and the youth
growing up. I needed my friend Andy’s friendship over the years. He was someone
that believed in me even when others seemed to question what I was doing. He
wasn’t your ‘touchy feely’ type of guy but still went out of his way to show me
encouragement. I know that kids and teens so much want attention and at times
will do anything to get it. Seniors aren’t much different because their circle
of family and friends has shrunk so they definitely need a hug and someone to
appreciate them.
I have adopted a couple of grandmas, Doris, Bernice, Maddy,
Hattie, Latte and others who keep me smiling and laughing. Yet, I know that one
day I will get a phone call or go to visit to discover that they are gone. My
hope is that I can be more intentional about being there for them in the ‘right
way’. My memory of my grandparents is that too often I saw them as a quick way
to get the needed funds for a date or event. I do want to lovingly spoil my
grandson but want him to actually know me and not just see me as quick cash.
LOVE ON a grandma
type today and see the smile on their faces!!
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