I wrote this article for publication in The Phoenix on December 23, 2005...
Being a social worker in a nursing home during the holiday season has both its ups and downs. There is plenty of joy in the air, as visitors from Girl Scout troops to church groups bring much-needed cheer to the often lonely residents each day. Carolers roam the halls, filling the place with beautiful Christmas songs. Even those in pain and battling illness seem to perk up, if only for a little while, when a memory-filled carol like "Silent Night" is sung. along, as the Christmas spirit seems to bring folks together in many ways.
One wishes that the holiday season could go on forever.
But the season also brings a tear or two, when reflections of holidays past are recalled. Many residents do not have families to visit, so any visitors, Christmas or not, are so welcome. Worse yet, there are some residents who do have family, but they don't visit. And if they do, it may be an obligatory, brief few minutes, just because it is Christmas.
I currently work at Parkhouse Providence Pointe in Royersford, but for many years I was a social worker at the formerly- known Phoenixville Manor nursing home. I worked there for close to 10 years, so I saw a few holiday seasons come and go. I could imagine how the residents felt about receiving visitors during the holidays and looked forward to something different in their lives. Maybe the residents couldn't celebrate as in the past, but I always felt they appreciated Christmas so much and realized the true meaning of the holiday, now, in the twilight of their lives.
More than the fruit, cards or candy, which visitors brought as presents, the residents appreciated the time spent just saying hello. They appreciated the fact that they were not forgotten, that someone did remember them.
One of the groups we most looked forward to seeing each Christmas season was Mr. Kelley and the students from Phoenixville Middle and High Schools. Mr. Kelley was a teacher at the middle school and every year he dressed as Santa Claus, and along with a posse of young people, visited the residents. They would hold a Christmas party, but would not forget those residents who were confined to bed or their rooms, roaming the halls, singing carols and wishing each resident a Merry Christmas.
That was back in the day when it was still OK to say "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays.'
One of the favorite parts of each visit was every resident could take a Polaroid photo with Santa. Now, with the new HIPPA confidentiality laws, one almost has to sign one's life away just to agree to a simple pleasure. But a picture with Santa was always a highlight of Mr. Kelley's visits.
There was a resident named Teddy who lived in the nursing home for almost 15 years. He loved Christmas,and every season he could be found entertaining and cheering his fellow residents by playing Christmas carols on his beloved harmonica. Teddy loved carols so much it wasn't uncommon to hear a somewhat off-key, yet touching rendition of "Away in a Manger" in the middle of summer as I passed by Teddy's room.
Teddy especially looked forward to Mr. Kelley's visits with the kids. Every year he tacked his new photo with Santa on his bulletin board beside his bed. He had at least 10 different photos with Santa taken over the years, and he proudly displayed them all year long.
I always thought it was very cool for young people to interact with senior citizens. So much could be shared and learned from each other. The true meaning of Christmas- sharing, giving, and joy-was never more evident.
And maybe visiting a nursing home during the holiday season made the students realize how lucky they were. it was always nice when a student would come back to visit after Christmas, or volunteered, or participated in the Adopt a Grandparent program. Sometimes the effect of a simple Christmas visit lasted forever.
People like teddy and Mr. Kelley made Christmas even more special to me. Those memories could never be forgotten. I'm sure Mr. Kelley knew how much his visits with the students meant to the residents. If no one ever said it before, thank you Mr. Kelley for caring.
Even though teddy is gone I'm sure he, along with every other resident who was touched by the kindness of Mr. Kelley and his students over th years, felt the love of Christmas. And isn't that what Christmas is all about?
Merry Christmas everyone!
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