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The Young and the Very Old

As soon as we push through the double doors, we can hear the excited oos and ahhs, and the scrapping back of the chair legs as those who are able to, rise to their feet to greet us.

We bring wrapped presents, they already have the bingo boards and the chips.  Before we set up, we catch up.  Our small group goes out into the community to serve and show love at least once a month, and Sunrise has become our second home, the most frequented service project.  We have spent more time here than any other place.


We and the Palmers bring our kids to each project, hoping to instil a servant’s heart for those in need at even this young age.  Usually, our little ones bringing more joy to the faces of the lonely or forgotten than us or our prizes.

“They grow up so fast,” they tell us solemnly, as they stroke a soft baby cheek.

We catch up with some of the ladies, and mourn the loss of those who have passed.  Just this trip, one of our favorites had passed since we visited last, her photo on a memorial board. “The Black Widow,” as we called her.  You see, during bingo, I’ll sometimes call out a discussion question so we all get to know each other better.  Such as, “What’s your favorite season, favorite food, etc.”  When I asked about favorite past time, our dear friend yelled out, “SEX!”
We couldn’t help but all burst into laughter throughout the whole room.  “I’ve been married 4 times,” she smiled, her face bright.  “I killed ’em all, one after the other!”  She added, jovial.  We couldn’t help to joke about it weeks later.

Jaime was our caller so she could continue to cuddle her teenie boy, and the rest of us filled our spots with plastic chips, pretending to be very competitive, and mentioning how much we would love to win one of the prizes.

When a bingo was called, we made it a big deal.  Declaring their name, presenting their present that they got to unwrap, usually to someone so surprised, their mouth open in stunned surprise as the gift is placed into their hands, no words coming out of their mouth, eyes wide.  Until they slowly start to unwrap, a shy smile coming to their faces as they hold up their prize.



When the prizes are gone, and the chips are stacked in a tupperware, we say our final goodbye, tell our friends that we will miss them and that we will see them very soon and that we are praying for them.

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  • Squiggly Rainbow August 26, 2011, 10:50 pm

    You have blessed me so much with this post… We visit our Grandmother and feel such a sadness – even talked about doing this… wow. xx Thank you for sharing and your servants heart x

    I have a fun craft swap happenning and would love you to take part – it’s on my blog at the moment! It has a bigger story – will email you about it! xx Rach

  • Tamika August 26, 2011, 11:48 pm

    Oh what a beautiful post! Amazing pictures and so many wonderful memories made! I believe that those who’ve lived longer than us can share the most joy. They ‘see’ things we haven’t dreamed of yet!

  • Katrina August 26, 2011, 11:50 pm

    Such an inspiring thing to do. Thank you for sharing. I pray someone is visiting my sweet grandma who is too far for me to get to very often.

    Katrina
    Carlene’s soon to be momma 🙂
    http://www.operationorphansnomore.blogspot.com

  • Life as Leah August 27, 2011, 12:49 am

    I’m not usually like this, but it brought humbled tears to my eyes. What a wonderful thing to do for those people in the name of God. Thank you for sharing.

  • Sarah August 27, 2011, 3:54 pm

    I love this! I also love how you bring your little one to instill a serving heart. I totally want to do something like this. Great parenting!!!

    – Sarah
    http://agirlintransit.blogspot.com/

  • Katrina August 29, 2011, 7:24 am

    This is beautiful. Just beautiful.

    Katrina
    They All Call Me Mom

  • Life,Twins,DramaQueen August 29, 2011, 12:23 pm

    Hi,

    New follower from the blog hop please come follow me back 🙂
    http://lifewithtwinsandadramaqueen.blogspot.com/

  • Etosia (e-tasha) August 29, 2011, 10:12 pm

    That is awesome! I love how your publicly sharing all the great values your installing in your son! Inspiring!

  • erinj0 August 30, 2011, 4:28 am

    BINGO!!!!! I love that game, especially playing it with the lovely old ladies and gents 🙂

    Wonderful pictures – you capture such special moments!

  • Mandi August 30, 2011, 11:45 pm

    Wow, I love this. I haven’t been able to help with the elderly since my grandparents passed away 2 years ago, but maybe it’s time for me to get back in there. Visiting from the Totally Tuesday hop. I would love it if you stopped by my blog to say hi! 🙂

    Mandi from boredombustingmommy.blogspot.com