Daisy cries.
Nora dances.
Gezel swings.
Karen rocks.
Doris drools.
Carla sits.
Melba cuddles.
Juan grabs.
David moves.
They each have something to teach me. Only Melba speaks but they are all a wealth of wisdom. Sitting on the porch with them, rocking Karen and Carla, listening to Stefany Gretzinger’s The Undoing album, I soak in the warmth of the sun, the cool touch of the mountain breeze, the tweets of birds and the call of the rooster.
All is quiet. All is peace.
Open up let the light in repeats with instrumentals that calm and soothe.
This is the breath I needed today.
I love the house I’ve been serving in this month. Every amazing resident has taught me so much:
Olga returned to me my joy and that is okay to show how passionate you are about seeing someone and her love of physical touch is precious.
Danny taught me it’s good to make eye contact, it makes people feel seen, and loved.
Fidelia is in love with nature. She always knows what she wants and she perseveres till she gets it.
Yolani isn’t afraid to speak, or repeat herself when she is not understood. She never seems to get upset about it either, she just keeps talking.
Wendy in the wheelchair doesn’t hide her emotions. She dances big, cries big and smiles bigger.
Francis sees everything, gets involved in everything but loves so deeply.
Rosalinda laughs with abandon.
Daniella shows a gentle loving grace. She blows kisses even when she is in pain.
Kelby comforts himself, he rubs his head and just plays with his fingers.
The other Wendy shows fight, but also submission (you might recognize her from the blog post Sticky Hands and Humble Hearts). And though I have yet to see her smile she does dance.
I’m taking so much from this month, but God decided to bless me even more. This house, even though I will only be spending 3 hours here, has taught me more.
Melba receives love first. You walk in, she hugs you tight and then asks you to sit down. She curls herself into your lap and just rests her head against your chest. She can cuddle like that for 20 or more minutes. She is beautiful. About the size of a 10 year old girl I know she is at least 3 times that age.
Once she is done getting her cuddles, she moves on to “mama” the rest of the residents. She kisses them, makes them feel seen and loved.
I want to be like that.
I tend to put everyone’s needs before my own and though I’ve gotten better about voicing what I need, I still tend to cave more than I stand.
I admire the strengths of the residents. Though the world may see their weakness at first glance, now that I have spent time with them, I see their strengths.
Daisy isn’t afraid to use her voice.
Nora walks in joy always.
Gezel is content.
Karen accepts comfort.
Doris loves kisses.
Carla smiles.
Melba pours out the love she has gathered.
Juan explores the world with all his senses.
David soaks up the warmth of the sun
