I hope you know what you're talking about. Cory seems to think you're wise beyond your years but since you're not that old, that may not mean so much. Now if Cory were wise beyond her years that would be something eh?!
When I was a teenager we would occasionally go to the old folks home to hang out and chat with the seniors. I'm not sure what motivated these visits but it probably had something to do with the fact that Cory worked at the attached hospital. We would just walk in, wander around for a while, find somebody lucid to talk to and after an hour or so just leave again.
Things are a little different today. I went to Valleyview Home for the elderly today to enquire about volunteering. Today you need to fill out an application, have an interview with the volunteer co-ordinator, you need to provide 2 character references and a criminal record check, you need to have a tuberculosis test and finally go through an orientation.
During my brief visit there today I chatted with a lady who emigrated to Canada in 1929!! While she was bright and a good conversationalist, as I sat there in the main room and watched the other residents I had mixed feelings about what I was getting myself into. Will this really be an inspiration for me, and is that the right reason to even be doing it? I told the volunteer lady that my motives were selfish and she was quite ok with that.
So I have decided to move forward despite all the bureaucracy. But again, I hope Old John knows what he's talking about.
I ran again today for the third day in a row.(11 kms) The weather wasn't co-operating with cycling. It's nice not to have to worry so much about getting all the right workouts in and just be able to do whatever I feel like. The one thing that I learned however with the Ironman experience, is the significant advantage of cycling all winter. I am very sure it helps with injury prevention, and also with overall running fitness. That's why tomorrow I am going to check out a computrainer for our basement. With Claudette and I both running a spring marathon it should get lots of use. It will cost a few bucks but is still much cheaper than cigarettes!!
...and this one's for you Old John cause I know you'll get it!
"Cigarettes, I won't do cigarettes, nicotine will kill ya."---Tommy Chong
love
peter
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5 comments:
Here's a quote for you for a change, on caring. :)
"Warm weather fosters growth: cold weather destroys it. Thus a man with an unsympathetic temperament has a scant joy: but a man with a warm and friendly heart overflowing blessings, and his beneficence will extend to posterity" - Hung Tzu-Cheng
BTW I used one of your many quotes in my nursing clinical at school and the prof loved it, so thank you! :)
I am pretty sure that while you were there, even going through all the bs you had to do....You never once had the thought "Is that all there is?" It's amazing what you can learn from someone who has been around forever. I bet once you have had a few more conversations, you will even find material for this blog.
Love Old John
btw...who told you I know what I am talking about?
I am going to put you in touch with a former patient (when I have her permission) so she can tell you her story. She had an encephalomyelitis (infection of the brain) in her early 50's and was left with difficult deficits for an intelligent woman to deal with. It took years for SheriLynn to convince her of the benefits of volunteering and you will love how it enriched her life, and co-incidentally provided opportunities for intellectual growth at a pace her brain could manage. I will try and be in touch with her soon.
I'm sure the application process is so long because they fiqure they are admitting you, that way you can be a full time volunteer instead of part time!!!!
Richard
My mom worked in a County Nursing Home and one Sunday each month we had a dinner guest. I thought all I remembered about that was the lady who took her teeth out right in the middle of dinner. Then, reading your blog I realized my kids give me grief because I always include other people at Thanksgiving, Christmas, any time....I guess I remember more than I thought I did.
Peter in spite of yourself I think you will benefit the residents just by being you.
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