Valentine's Day
Written by Oana Harrison
Armed with candy kisses and a camera I joined Angelique and her two friends Bob and Michael this Valentine's Day as they brought hugs to residents of two assisted living homes in West Knoxville. It was a rainy, misty morning but the burst of reds and pinks and the smell of home cooked goodies immediately warmed up the space as I walked into the Heritage Assisted Living's dining area. Angelique, Bob, and Michael were already sharing cherry filled chocolate kisses, hugs, and stories with the residents.
As the "three musketeers" sat down and started talking with their newly found friends, smiles and stories were shared. Angelique hugged a sweet lady in a fuzzy pink cardigan: "you are so soft" she said to the lady as she leaned her cheek against hers.... "You remind me of my fifth grade when I was the only one who didn't have a date...now you made up for it!", said the man in white shirt as he raised his eyes in surprise to the Angelique appearance.
And as we mingled and shared, there was another angelic presence around, stepping forward from behind the kitchen door, where a heart shaped potato whimsically hung. It was one of the caregivers who had worked there for the past 30 years. One would expect her to be tired and glazed over by the tedium of the work, but I've never seen a warmer face and a more genuinely happy person to be doing what she wished others will do for her when her turn came. "They are such sweet people!" she told us. She was happy to have her picture taken with Michael, whose pink shirt and hearty laughter were quite a sensation among the residents. Bob's hearts and love tie didn't go unnoticed either, as fashion and chocolates are always a must in a lady's life.
A darling caregiver named Darlyn e told us about the party they had planned for one of the resident's 104th birthday the following week. She radiated with joy as she told us how inspired she felt by this lady who even after a century still insisted on her independence in moving about and living life every day, not as a contest but as a gift that needs to be enjoyed. "I'm going to be like her!" Darlyne said as she stood by a hand-stitched photo of an angel, under a saying on the wall that read "Love never fails."
On our way out, Mary Ellen introduced us to Pete, the dog who lives in the main office and who can't get enough petting and affection from everyone in the house. We thanked Mary Ellen for welcoming us and for all the great work that she and the staff do, and we drove over to Manorhouse Assisted Living.
Before Lila, our host could make it to the front desk, a "tres charmant" gentleman was already chatting up about his French heritage with Angelique. We followed Lila along the corridor to some of the residents' apartments. They shared with us thoughts about the latest book or movie they've seen, photos of their family, and some of the thoughtful gifts they've received on Valentine's Day. We chatted with a lady whose son had brought her beautiful red roses and whose grand daughter offer her a tiara to maker her feel queen for a day. She gave us a royal wave and we proceeded down the hallway. All of the sudden we heard someone serenading as Angelique's bright red shoes approached the corner suite. "If I were a bit younger, I would take you out dancing!" the man who was serenading Angelique said to her.
In the dining room, someone shared the photo of her family with Bob, while Michael's large smile found its match on a resident's face. The Alzheimer's quarters were filled with the most positive energy and it is here that I received the best hug yet. Angelique had a good laugh as she watched a lady savor her chocolate kiss with her eyes closed saying "ahh, this is how Heaven must feel".
On our way out, Frank invited us in to show us photos of his son, the architect and of his lovely Frances, who had passed away not long before. He admitted he missed gardening with his wife at their old house and got excited at the thought of learning how to dance so that parties at the Manorhouse would feel more like in the old days.
As we walked down the hallway at the end of our visit, I couldn't help but notice the sweet sound of the names listed outside the doors: Babe, Mary Ruth, Bernice, Doris, Cora, Rose.... They sounded so charming and so in tune with the beautiful Charleston flowing trough the speakers. Caught in the moment, the three musketeers, danced around to the music.
Before parting ways, we shared some wonderful chocolate covered strawberries and our thoughts about the day. We all felt so good about having inspired some good memories or having helped erase some bad ones. Bob and Michael noticed the child-like honest happiness of living in the moment, which they noticed especially among the Alzheimer's residents. Angelique noticed that everyone was just as happy to give love as to receive it. I couldn't help but think of the caregivers' joy and the inspiration they drew from the people they serviced. It seemed to put them at peace with growing old since they've discovered all the wonderful stories and the wisdom of living life every moment, while sharing themselves with others.
This Valentine's, the message was clear: Have a sweet heart on Sweethearts' Day! ... and every day!
If you’d like the Building Ideas crew to visit your location, or to volunteer to give hugs and Hershey’s kisses with the Building Ideas crew, click here: pr@buildingideas.net
