Mission Moment Archives: 2011 | 2010
Mission Moments
January 2012
For most of us, there comes a time when advice from an elder may hit a little close to home. In the years I’ve been working with older adults, I’ve had my share of “advice.” Most recently it came from an older woman with whom I was having a conversation. We were discussing that the holidays were fast approaching and the New Year wasn’t far behind. She had never been one to “mince words,” so she asked if I was ready for Christmas. I replied, “Not exactly.” She then asked if I had thought about my New Year’s resolutions. I replied, “Not exactly, but I do have the college football bowl schedule memorized.” With a glance that nearly took my breath away, she said, “I’m sure knowing the college football bowl schedule is life changing,” and even I heard the sarcasm in her remark. She then asked if I had thought about some improvements I might make in the New Year or maybe some things for which I was thankful. I resisted the urge to say I wasn’t quite sure how thankful I was at this particular moment with this particular conversation.
Instead, I listened as she told me some of the things for which she thought I should be thankful:
- You are able to go to a job you love every day with co-workers who support you and who you like – many people don’t have a job
- You not only have a job but you also have health insurance – many people have lost their health insurance.
- You have friends – many people have had to move from their homes and leave friends behind.
- You have friends and co-workers with whom you can laugh and share important moments – many people feel they have no one with whom to share special times.
- AND you have people like me who help you remember all the things for which you can be thankful.
“One more thing,” she added, “We need to be more courteous with each other. It seems a simple thing but so many of us seem to forget to practice this. After all, with an election year fast approaching, we will all need to practice being civil with each other and maybe the politicians will learn from us!”
We wished each other a happy holiday season. I promised I would think about what she told me. (I wasn’t sure I would get out the door if I didn’t promise.)
My New Year’s Resolution: Remember the many things for which I’m thankful and remember to be kinder and more courteous.
Barbara Frankenfield,
In Home Services Coordinator