Reading Schedule, and General Observations

[Linda]

Everyman wrote: "The lesson, though, may be that Dad lies, so when he tells me smoking is bad for me I won't believe that, either."

Ha! That could very well be, Everyman. :)

Mary Lou wrote: "My daughter works in a dementia unit of a nursing home. Today she was telling me that every week a grandmother takes her two grandchildren (early elementary age) to the library to pick out a few books, then they come and read them to the dementia patients, who just love it."

I love that story, Mary Lou!! When my daughter was in pre-K, her entire class use to take weekly trips to the nearby nursing home to eat lunch and play with the people who lived their. Sometimes the kids would do arts and craft with the residents helping or just watching, one time there was "manicure day" where the kids got to watch the residents have their nails done, and lots of other activities. My daughter loved it, and judging from the photos I saw, the residents loved it as well.

Mary Lou wrote: "This is, indeed, the "misery loves company" crowd! I'm sorry to read about the hardships many of you are going through, and I'm so glad we have the wonderful group for personal support, as well as ..."

Yes, it seems it is, Mary Lou! Well, hopefully we are all getting our miseries out of the way at once, and we have a long bout of misery-free days ahead for all of us.

[Mary Lou]

Linda wrote: "When my daughter was in pre-K, her entire class use to take weekly trips to the nearby nursing home to eat lunch and play..."

That's wonderful. We have so much generational segregation in our society these days. I think it's incredibly important for kids and the elderly to be given opportunities to interact, and even better if they can do it regularly and bond over time.

[Everyman]

Linda wrote: "When my daughter was in pre-K, her entire class use to take weekly trips to the nearby nursing home to eat lunch and play with the people who lived their. "

My daughters do this monthly with all their students. (Their school is grades K-6). They usually put on some program they've rehearsed -- a short play or a few songs -- then interact with the nursing home residents.

[Mary Lou]

Everyman wrote: "Linda wrote: "When my daughter was in pre-K, her entire class use to take weekly trips to the nearby nursing home to eat lunch and play with the people who lived their. "

My daughters do this mont..."

I'm glad it seems to be more prevalent than I was aware. They never had such programs for my kids (until one was in college, and I think it set her career course), even though the middle school is right across the street from a nursing home. Hope it's a growing trend.

[Linda]

Mary Lou wrote: "I'm glad it seems to be more prominent than I was aware."

I know I've seen programs at this particular nursing home where the nearby middle and high schools have also participated in. A couple were concerts, and one was a "senior prom" (the high school kids went to this one).

[Tristram]

In my daughter's kindergarten, the kids go to the nearby old people's home once a week where they meet old people, play board or card games or just talk. I think it's a splendid idea, and I just wonder that the church's kindergarten, where we sent our son, did not do this.

[Bionic Jean]

When I was teaching I took all the kids in the choir, and some instrumentalists, to sing carols at the old folks' home. The piano was a bit ... ropey and some notes stuck (!) but the kids performed really well. Some of the old folks were a bit past it though I think. The head teacher went with me and it quite upset him, but I'm glad we did it.

[Hilary]

Oh dear! I have somehow been in my own cuckoo land and it's not always a healthy place to be. I am so glad to touch base again. I have not succeeded in reading all of your comments, but my oh my, some of you have been through the wars: illnesses, accident, bereavements ...
I'm really sorry about your losing pets, Mary Lou and Linda. It chills me to think of it. We have two wonderful dogs whom we all adore. I do worry about the (adult) children's reactions to losing either one of them.

I'm so thankful that your arm's on the mend Mary Lou. It's difficult to function with nagging or intense pain. And, Linda, what a shock for your husband - the accident! I'm glad that he has escaped relatively unscathed.

Cancer makes me so very angry. Your life has been grievously touched by it, Linda. I suppose that most of us have been affected by it in one way or another . Jean, you have really been there for your lovely cousin. I feel sure that you have enriched her life and vice versa. I'm so glad she gets to the garden party. She deserves the recognition.

Many moons ago Brendan and I stood in the mud at Hillsborough in the middle of what seemed like a monsoon in order to shake the royal glove. I think I was there accidentally. I had heels 👠 on, a rare experience for me. My heels sank further and further into the mud as the rain poured down. The duke had one of his men hold a huge golf umbrella over us. It was all so surreal. We stood on endlessly in the muck (yes it was now muck!) waiting to bow and curtsy. Most normal human beings would have disbanded but we kept on standing as that's what others were doing. I was endlessly rehearsing my curtsy in my mind and all I could think of was a Mr Bean sketch where he bows too enthusiastically and head butts the royal personage.

Sorry this is so long! I continued to sink, so much so that by the time the lady arrived I had almost sunk without trace! Jolly times!

[Hilary]

I love these stories of visiting nursing homes. Usually older people really love to see young children. If they are well enough to appreciate it the looks of joy would warm any heart.

I want to say also how much I appreciate this group. When I don't check in for a while it feels as though I've lost a limb or some important part of me. Thank you to all of you for being here. We still miss Lynne. Her vibrancy and joy for life were infectious.

I shan't list everyone as I'm bound to forget, but what would we do without Tristram and Everyman?! You have great wicked senses of humour to be taken with a very large pinch of salt. You really are our resident grumpy muppets - you know the men on the balcony, only you are, of course, several decades younger!

Peter, what can I say?! You're like the one who makes everything ok. You're like the daddy who comforts the child with the cut knee. You have the ability to pour warm soothing oil on troubled waters.

[Bionic Jean]

You have made me smile Hilary, as always! Thank you :)

[Peter]

;-)

[Linda]

Hilary wrote: "I want to say also how much I appreciate this group. When I don't check in for a while it feels as though I've lost a limb or some important part of me. "

Me too, Hilary. Me too.

And it's good to hear from you. Your heels in the muck in relation to a Mr. Bean sketch brought a smile to my face. :)