Art's cousin, Sarah is in a nursing home in Honolulu. We have not been able to visit her as much as we should. However, we decided that we really needed to get our act together and pay her a visit this holiday season.
Sarah has always been one of our favorite cousins. She lost her husband a few years ago and is now struggling with her health as well. Sarah is always full of smiles and caring. She reminds me a lot of Art's mom who always put everybody's needs before her own. Whenever we visited her in the past, Sarah always had to give us something to bring home.
We couldn't decide what to bring her. We looked on the Internet for ideas on what to give someone who is in a nursing home.
Some of the ideas were potted plants, writing material, lotions, stamps and stationary, fruits, a lap desk, etc. There's very little space in Sarah's room and we didn't want to add clutter to her things.
And then I had the idea to give Sarah something she could pass out for the holidays. Sarah has always enjoyed giving presents to others and making life happier for everybody else.
Art was all for it. We got some party bags, some cookies, mints, candy canes and ribbons.
We filled the bags with the goodies and personalized name tags so everybody would know it was from her.
And now we were ready to go.
We spent about an hour with Sarah at her nursing home.
Yes, she loved her present of presents and immediately gave one to a worker there.
Art and Sarah enjoyed reminiscing about their days in Honokaa.
It was a day of smiles today.
Sarah has always been one of our favorite cousins. She lost her husband a few years ago and is now struggling with her health as well. Sarah is always full of smiles and caring. She reminds me a lot of Art's mom who always put everybody's needs before her own. Whenever we visited her in the past, Sarah always had to give us something to bring home.
We couldn't decide what to bring her. We looked on the Internet for ideas on what to give someone who is in a nursing home.
Some of the ideas were potted plants, writing material, lotions, stamps and stationary, fruits, a lap desk, etc. There's very little space in Sarah's room and we didn't want to add clutter to her things.
And then I had the idea to give Sarah something she could pass out for the holidays. Sarah has always enjoyed giving presents to others and making life happier for everybody else.
Art was all for it. We got some party bags, some cookies, mints, candy canes and ribbons.
We filled the bags with the goodies and personalized name tags so everybody would know it was from her.
We spent about an hour with Sarah at her nursing home.
Yes, she loved her present of presents and immediately gave one to a worker there.
Art and Sarah enjoyed reminiscing about their days in Honokaa.
It was a day of smiles today.
so sweet of you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! David's father was in a care home and would not have known what to do with those gifts, as he had severe dementia. David's mother was in a nursing home and the women who shared her room were all comatose so she would not have been able to give them any gifts. But, she would have enjoyed giving gifts to the staff. David usually gave his parents chocolates.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness, Sarah is only physically challenged these days. Her mind and memories are probably stronger than mine. When we gave her the bag of gifts she asked how many were in the bag, if they were all the same and what was in them. As she carefully inspected them, I could see her happily pondering who she could gift them too. There are a lot of support staff that she could present them to as a thank you for all the help they give her throughout the year. She is well loved at the facility and one of the workers told me she is the most popular resident they have with the most visitors.
DeleteAs for candies, she's always tried to be healthy and stays away from too many sweets. Besides, we've seen lots of goodies that grandchildren, etc. have brought her. She didn't need more and sharing it with other residents is iffy since many have dietary restrictions.
what a wonderful thing to do,
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful gift idea Kay! You may have started a new trend here!
ReplyDeleteGigi's idea of chocolates sound good too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I wouldn't have known what to take either, but this is a perfect solution. Presents magically translated into re-gifts! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt was funny because she asked what kind of cookies they were and seemed to want to try one. We laughed and told her to just open it and eat one herself. I wonder if she did.
DeleteWhat a thoughtful, generous gift.
ReplyDeleteHow kind to such a wonderful woman.
ReplyDeletesuch a nice idea
ReplyDeleteKay and Art, That was a cool idea! Folks in a nursing home feel so powerless without access to funds or the ability to go to a store. You enabled her to spread some bits of cheer. Just a pop-in, short visit on occasion, or taking some old pics, really makes their day. She'll be talking about your visit for days. DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteI love my iPhone. I was able to show her a photo of her sister when she came to visit from the Big Island. We were feeling guilty that we hadn't come to visit in a while. Because her care facility is in Honolulu, it's hard to get out that way. However, I've penciled her into my plan book (for every month) and have made it a new year's resolution.
Deletewhat a great idea...merry christmas!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. I can't think of anything you could have taken that would have given her more joy.
ReplyDeleteExcellent, excellent, excellent! Wish I would have thought of that for my mother. She loved giving gifts much more that receiving them.
ReplyDeleteThat was a perfect gift. I would love someone to do something like that for me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea and such a loving gift Kay. Wishing you a very Happy Holiday season and a Happy New Year :)
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and Gregg too, Denise.
DeleteOh what a wonderful idea...you are so clever...hugs..Michelle
ReplyDeleteThat was an amazing idea for a gift!Leave it to you and Art to come up with the perfect idea. And didn't that visit feel like a gift for you too? I know my visits did.
ReplyDeleteOh absolutely, Linda! We felt wonderful having seen Sarah and knowing we may have helped brighten her day too.
DeleteVery thoughtful of you and Art to come up with this brilliant idea. Once again happy holidays and a happy new year.
ReplyDeleteA very happy holiday season to you and yours too, Kavita!
DeleteMaybe a New Year's Party with Sarah, her sister from Big Island, and your Mom? Do they all speak a bit (or a lot) of Japanese? Even for the humble ladies they are, I can just hear the chatter! DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteWouldn't that be lovely? I'm not sure when her sister from the Big Island will be able to make it out here though. Sarah speaks wonderful Japanese and mom has always enjoyed being with her.
DeleteEverything about this is so heartwarming and encouraging. You guys are great.
ReplyDeletethat is called a "Mitzvah" or good deed that repairs the breach in the world. right Dina? LOL
ReplyDeleteWarmest Aloha to you
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