Grandchildren can make big impact on lives of seniors
In speaking to a friend the other day — a woman who has spent her career working with and helping nonprofits succeed — I asked her if she could remember how she learned to reach out to others.
Her story was this: “My father and the father of one of my good friends arranged for us to go to a senior center in Houston and sing for the folks there. At first we were shy, but after two visits, we started looking forward to performing.
I’m not sure we were even very good, but it made an impression on me, singing to senior citizens — some sitting in wheelchairs, some sleeping, some clapping along and some even singing with us. Because of that experience, I continue to volunteer, even as a grandmother, myself.”
This summer, my friend Susan and her 16-year-old grandson delivered Meals on Wheels together.
Her grandson said it was fun, meeting the seniors, speaking to them and even helping with simple chores.
Susan said they had delivered Meals on Wheels the previous summer and her grandson seemed to have a natural comfort level with the older Americans.
“Volunteering gives some special time together, some shared experience, and it has shown me my grandson’s heart,” she said.
My granddaughters — Emma is now a senior in high school and Mary, the fourth grade — have performed for local nursing homes every holiday season with their dance studio. They’re now working on a program of dance, possibly to present to a senior center for Valentine’s Day. Their brother, Walt, a high school freshman, will offer a narrative and Jackson, Mary’s twin, will debut his stand-up comedy routine.
The kids reasoned that most performances happen during the holidays, and live entertainment may not be as plentiful during other times of the year. I am so pleased they are thinking outside the box.
Even in the most hectic times of the year, it may fall to grandparents to model and teach caring about those outside the family. One summer, when we had all our grandchildren with us, we spent two days doing chores and taking the money we earned to the local food bank.
As our grandchildren handed over the $40 they had earned working, the woman at the counter told the children the money they were donating was enough for 400 meals.
You cannot imagine how big the children’s eyes became.
Like us, they were astounded at the number and took such pride in being able to help families who didn’t have the luxury of enough food for every meal.
Depending on the age of your grandchildren, you can start small, and as they grow older they can do more, such as collect magazines for senior centers.
Maybe next summer you can deliver Meals on Wheels, clean out a closet for Goodwill or, perhaps, like my friend so many years ago, take your grand-darlings to the nursing home and sing to the residents.
We’re all in this together ... and every little bit helps.