Christmas in our spirit

      She grabbed my hand as I hugged her. Holding tight she said, "Thank you for remembering us and coming today! When we see young people coming in here and smiling at us, hugging us, listening to us and sharing your joy with us, it inspires us. It reminds us that we are not forgotten in here, that we are still important to people."

     She went on, "We're stuck in here day after day with no change and no visitors. Just the same thing every day. Few people care enough to come see us, let alone listen to us. We look at that and think, 'what do we have to live for?' Then we look at days like today, when visitors come just to hang out with us, and we think 'that's why we're still here. To bring inspiration to young people."

    This coming from sweet 90 year old Mary, at Turlock Residential Retirement home.

     As we wake every morning with joy in our hearts ready to face a new day, they wake with heavy hearts, facing another empty, depressing day. Separated from their loved ones, they spend their days playing Bingo and watching the hours tick by as they wait for visitors.

      They sit by the door hoping..waiting...praying for a visitor. The door opens. A warm pair of arms suddenly envelops them. Startled, they look up. Friendly eyes and a warm smile accompany the unexpected hug. You smile. They smile. You say, "Merry Christmas!" and spend the next hour talking with them.. or rather, lending them a listening ear. By the time you leave you have just made their day and completely transformed their spirits. 

     What does Christmas mean to you?  For me, it means having all the more reason to share Christ's love and joy with those less fortunate than me. This Christmas, I urge you to remember the elderly. Be the reason they smile that day. Show them what Christmas means to you.

  May the grace of our Lord be with you all! Merry Christmas!