I’m learning to find joy in the simple things of life. Simple things like Monday mornings where we hangout with some pretty awesome old people.
During ministry we spend time with a wide variety of age groups. Through this I’ve found child-like joy and curiosity doesn’t have to leave us once we stop being a child. On Mondays we go to a center designed to give seniors community and entertainment. When I first heard we were going to hangout with old people on Mondays I pictured a quiet room with one or two people telling me stories of their glory days in Spanish, and me sympathetically nodding along. Most other days of ministry we are around kids. I quickly realized this day would be very little different.
Every time we arrive we are greeted by the same excited faces and hugs as we are when we see kids. If anything, at the senior home we have an even warmer welcome. If able, they all stand to greet us making sure they get in one big sloppy kiss on the cheek before moving on to their next hug. They whisper greetings and compliments to us in Spanish as they rock us back and forth in their arms making sure we know how welcome we are. We also play a lot of games, similarly as we do when we are teaching kids. The excitement is evident on both of their faces, eager for the attention you are giving them. The best part is both age groups cheat! Whether they understand it or not, they are hiding cards or going out of their turn to get ahead. It is the sweetest of moments when we get to see the whimsical and mischievous look in their eyes as they throw down cards or shove puzzle pieces in the wrong spot in order to get done in a certain amount of time. The joy of the games are not lost on them and either is their competitive side. More things we do that parallel children playing include: coloring pages, crafts, musical chairs, flying kites, playing basketball, etc. Above all of this though is laughter. While the majority of the time it is directed at us and the funny things we accidentally do, we welcome it greatly. It helps us connect without words. It shows us that through it all we are on the same side, with no agenda besides bringing friendship. Humor is universal and thank God for that!
One thing thats surprised me since I’ve been there is that Ive heard very few stories. Hearing about their lives in little conversations, I know they have a multitude of stories they can tell. One man named Abraham, who we accurately call “Father Abraham,” has 14 kids, 58 grandkids, and 12 great-grandkids. Of course there are stories that come from his life! My hypothesis is that they don’t feel a need to tell stories because they aren’t done making more. They aren’t done with all the cool things in their life to take the time to stop and tell people about it. I see in the way they live how they are more concerned with having a good time, than letting others know about the good times they’ve had.
I find so much life in this center every Monday. I expected to find sadness over their situations, but their joy doesn’t allow me to. Something changes in us when we chose to live in such a way. Our situation doesn’t have to define us and we can chose to laugh and play instead. I pray I become like my friends when I am older. I hope that I have stories to tell, but also like them, I hope to be more concerned with making more. Most times before we leave, we take a group photo. I will leave this blog with the sayings they yell out in order to make us laugh.
Coochie! Coochie! & WHIKSEY!!
Hannah Key
P.S I am still not fully funded and would LOVE to not return to America before I have to. If you click the “donate” button in my blog I promise a big hug when I get home. 🙂
