Life Altering Experiences by Emily (a pilgrim)
Today we went to the CC Young Center to visit many different kinds of
elderly people. There were people ranging from indepedent living to
those severely in need of hospice care. Although we only encountered
the most able bodied of them all, they were still in need of company.
I realized today that we needed them and this experience as much, if
not more, than they did. There is so much to learn from the elderly. I
believe that they are the wisest, and yet we tend to
shut them up the quickest.
I learned that on average the elderly in assisted living and nursing
homes only get visited about twice a month including pastoral visits.
There is so much to learn from these people but we can be too self-centered and fast-paced to take the time to truly listen. We played bingo with four women. One of them was a retired school teacher. We asked her about her funniest memories from teaching. She didn’t remember at first, but once she started recalling things, her face just lit up with joy. Another woman told us she had been a radio DJ on a talk show. She said she would get into lively debates on issues such as a governor she didn’t approve of. Some of the guys hung out with a gentleman who apparently ‘kicked tail’ at Dominoes.
The second part of the day we spent exploring and learning about
Dallas, spending time in reflection and prayer. This trip has already
become an amazing, unforgettable, life-changing experience; and it’s
only the first day! I personally cannot wait to see what God has in
store for us and how He will move in us, so that we can go back home
and continue on this pilgrimage of life- altering experiences.