Oct
19
Written by:
Rev. Ed Boon
10/19/2009 3:27 PM
I recently made visit to a dear friend who has been at the Bridgton nursing home for a number of years. Something happened during that visit that made me realize what a difference sometimes a very small thing can make in the lives of those who are there.
WATCHING THE SUN BURST FORTH FROM THE CLOUDS
Since I’ve been in High School I’ve been making visits in nursing and retirement homes. An interesting exception to this was the ten years I spent in Africa. There was a good reason for that. In Africa the elderly are cared for by their children, that’s a given in that culture, no questions asked. In Africa children are your Social Security plan. That’s one reason they like to have a lot of children. The Africans I knew were very socialistic by nature, but it was a spontaneous socialism that came from the hearts of the people, not a government mandated system. It’s a good thing it is like this, because a home for the elderly in Africa probably would not have been well run.
In our western culture it is quite different. While it is not always the case, we are capable of maintaining well run assisted living and nursing homes. Many times this may be the best and perhaps the only solution we have to properly caring for our elderly.
As a pastor I have spent many years visiting with the elderly in both France and here in America. It has given me great pleasure to make these visits. Interestingly, it was not until the death of my mother back in 2004 that I ever pictured myself as a possible resident in one of these homes. It was with my mother’s death in the Bridgton Health Care Center that I suddenly sensed mortality and truly realized that one day I too would pass. That has only impressed upon me all the more the need to serve those who are there while I am able to do so.
I recently made visit to a dear friend who has been at the Bridgton nursing home for a number of years. Something happened during that visit that made me realize what a difference sometimes a very small thing can make in the lives of those who are there.
When I arrived that day, I found my friend depressed and somewhat disoriented. I talked with her, joked with her, read to her, but the tears continued to flow. Then I had an idea.
I told her I would be back and went to the nursing office. My little Welsh Terrier ‘Lauky’ had been waiting for me in the car. He is not a certified therapy dog but does have all the vaccinations etc. If you know him, you know that he is an extremely energetic and enthusiastic but also a very loving dog. I could never let him loose in that home, he’s much too impulsive for that. But the thought occurred to me that perhaps if I carried him in, he might make a difference. I explained the problem my friend was having and asked permission to bring him in for a visit. The permission was granted.
I carried him in. His little tail was wagging like a fan as he saw all his "friends." I brought him into the room and sat next to my friend. He went to work, snuggling and offering his kisses. It wasn't long before she began to smile again.
When I left her room I noticed that the small dining room was filled with women. I walked in with him. His little tail was going a mile a minute. The ladies all reached out for him. He offered his kisses to all who wanted one. Before we left, the "sun” had burst forth and was shining in a figurative sense throughout that wing of the building. It was the miracle of a doggie kiss.
Recently, someone emailed me and asked how they might be of help to the church. I mentioned several people in need of a cheery visit. The visits were made and in so doing a little cheer was brought into people’s lives.
Have you ever asked yourself how you might bring some “sun” into the life of another? It’s a question worth asking. It’s an action worth taking. As Jesus once said: “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35 NLT.