Not so!
Over the winter my 85 year old Mother suffered a severe health issue, complicated by dementia . She remains in hospital waiting a long term care home bed.Unfortunately she can never go home again....... Lots to do; dealing with cleaning out her home, selling it and making choices for what nursing homes my sister and I would like Mom to go to. Banking, lawyers etc.
Thank goodness, there were 2 of us to share the responsibilities.
With the arrival of spring my "job" restarted, last year I started to volunteer at a Pioneer Heritage Village. Working with school children Grades 3, 7 and kindergartners teaching them the hard life of 1850 pioneers . Who knew I could teach tinsmithing, bannock baking and weaving.
Putting my love of history to good use.
This week I was fortunate to attend a volunteer appreciation event in Simcoe at the fairgrounds in the Junior Farmers building.
Who doesn't like a luncheon one doesn't have to cook which included a side of appreciation.
There were over 200 volunteers from many agencies. Norfolk General Hospital, Sprucedale, United Way to name a few.Our group "Friends of Backus" from Long Point Region Conservation Authority numbered 10.
Lunch was made by a local restaurant , trays of Chinese food. So yummy .
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| Theme this year "Volunteers Cast A Beautiful Shadow" |
The 2 cakes were made by the youths of Sprucedale correctional facility . My daughter Sherry would have loved the icing ; thick , rich and very sweet!
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| Mayor |
Norfolk County mayor Dennis Travale was one of the several speakers to say thanks for all the hard work volunteers do.
The highlight of the appreciation event was the main speaker, Evelyn Wood, from Rockton area.
She spoke of seeing humour in one's life ,relating stories from her own life; she had the crowd holding their sides with laughter..Wonderful positive speaker.
A quote I liked in particular.
"Try as much as possible to be wholly alive, with all your might, and when you laugh, laugh like hell and when you get angry, get good and angry. Try to be alive. We are not getting out of this world alive.
Evelyn is a volunteer herself , The Rockton World's Fair a pet project.
Volunteering brings me a sense of satisfaction, no appreciation lunch was necessary.
Yet ,it was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon(even tho the house and garden both need spring cleaning ).
I came away with a sense of appreciation for life , even with all its trials and tribulations; and even more so, an appreciation of humour lightening the darkest of days.
Perhaps that is the point.
5 comments:
Nice post. I think you deserved the lunch! Good job.
Sounds like it was a very nice luncheon! So nice to be appreciated and come away with a new sense of appreciation for life at the same time.
I sympathize with you as you are caring for your mom, I went through the same thing in 1997, I am an only child, it was so overwhelming for me, I almost lost my home in the bargain, thank God it worked out and in 1992, mom went to be with the Lord. It is nice to be appreciated, luncheon sounds like fun.
On another note, your butterfly place cards so touched me, I ordered from Stampin' Up a fancy schmanzy machine and the dies and card stock. I have NO CLUE what to do with any of it lol but the rep from the co. said she would get me instructions. xo
Rosemary,
It is so good that you stay active and assist children with learning about the pioneer life. I'm sorry to hear about your mother. We have had to deal with dementia several time with my husband's family. I'm glad you have your sister to help you through the process.
I am sorry to hear about your Mom. My parents-in-law are in the same boat. My father-in-law can no longer manage to care for his wife and they are in the process of packing house and moving. So much to do and hubby and I can't be there to help (Nova Scotia). We feel very guilty.
Volunteering and working with kids is a great way to stay young. Sounds like the luncheon was great fun!
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