Day 5 (December 20)

Do something kind for the elderly. This can be anything from helping them to their car with heavy groceries, holding the door open for them, volunteering at a retirement home, or even raking their leaves.

I was making this task harder than it had to be.  I was trying to figure out what elderly person to help, when I would have time to go to a retirement home and holding the door open for them, well that is something I do anyway, heck everyone should do that it is just common courtesy.

Well I had to stop at Albertson's last night to get fixins for Muddy Buddies and they had little poinsetta's so cute and I bought one I was going to bring some holiday cheer to some little old lady, God had other plans. I went and picked up the girls, and told my mom I was headed up to Rocky Mountain Care Center. My grandma was a resident there in her last years of Alzheimers and they were wonderful.  I knew there had to be someone there that didn't get many visitors and needed to know there were still people that cared, besides the employees.  Change of plans again my mom said why don't you just go out to the Masonic Home? Oh yeah we have a retirement home just down the road from my parents house, wonderful idea Mom.  The girls and I drove out there and walked in the front doors, there was a young lady writing out the dinner menu and I told her my plan I was looking for a resident that didn't receive many visitors that could use a little holiday cheer. She thought for a moment and said 2nd floor Mr Bob, but to be careful as his cat lives in the room with him and likes to escape :) Perfect! Up the tiny elevator we went with poinsetta in hand, now I had planned on delivering to a female not sure why, but the girl had told me in the 7 months she had been working there he had only had one visiter.  One, are you kidding me people I understand we all get busy but that is terrible and if he has kids they should be ashamed of themselves I mean it and I would tell them that. So I knocked on his door, noting the sign that stated Smoky lived there and he told us to come in. I should have thought out my plan better as he was in bed, lights out and Smoky was right there at the door to greet us. I told him we were just stopping by to wish him a very Merry Christmas and bring him a poinsetta. He said Oh Thank you and we snuck out with a reminder from him to please not let his cat out. I have every intention of going back to visit Mr. Bob as it broke my heart that he didn't have any visitors I think next time we shall drop off some kitty treats for Smoky.

I think I have said this before but this gift was my favorite, Mr. Bob gave us a gift in return that I don't think I was expecting. He was so thankful and it reminded me of how precious life is how we should always take care of each other especially our older generation, they have seen so many things and been through so many things they have so many stories and adventures to share with us.

If you don't want to participate in this whole 12 days, this one gift should be the one you take up the challenge to do. My girls left commenting on how the building smelled and what was that smell, I explained it was the smell of the memories from the elderly being dusted off so that they could be shared with a new generation.