I held my Daddy’s hand, my brown hair blowing in the breezeway as we walked into my Great-Grandmother Elizabeth’s nursing home. Actually, we didn’t call the bright pink building a nursing home, we called it the pink hospital. I loved visiting Great-Grandmother because she smiled a real I’m thrilled to see you! smile when she saw me, and she generously gave me peppermints from the red antique depression glass candy jar.
But I usually wrinkled my nose at the smell of the pink hospital, a combination of Clorox, Bengay, and bathroom stuff.
The place felt like death coming soon.
When Great-Grandmother Elizabeth passed away, so did my visits to the pink hospital. I missed her, but I never missed her final home on this earth.
Time sashayed along and I grew up, married, moved, and had babies. I missed my grandmas and didn’t like how my tiny boys didn’t get to visit their grandmas or great-grandmas. So when an idea hit me on a sunny, car-windows-down good mood day, I called a local nursing home and asked if they would mind company from a young mama and her two tiny sons.
They didn’t mind at all.
So every Thursday at 11, the three of us would walk inside the retirement home, me in the middle and the boys holding my hands. From the get go, my little ones garnered attention like rock stars. Inside the home’s recreation room, they wrestled on the carpet floor with each other, rolled balls back and forth with the residents, and generously dished out hugs to everyone. Knee deep in being themselves, my sons didn’t notice much about the nursing home environment. They weren’t afraid of wheelchairs, scared off by odd behavior, or bothered by weird smells. They were too busy just doing their regular thing with regular people.
They created a picture of childlike faith, the kind that’s big and real and cares more about people than the environment.
Inside that nursing home, I engaged the residents in conversation and smelled the smells of the pink hospital all over again.
But this time, the place didn’t feel like death coming soon.
It felt like love now.
If you are sharing your own story of a surprise beloved place, here are some things to remember:
1. New to link-up’s or have questions? Read this first.
2. Since we all dig surprises, please surprise another writer by leaving a comment on her post *or* by giving her a facebook shout-out or tweet. Use the hashtag: #outoftheblue.
3. Be sure to include the out of the blue banner {see below} in your post or link back to Chasing Blue Skies so your readers can join in the fun. That way, we can all easily find each other.
Next week’s prompt: {Something a little different, a lot of fun.) A surprise photo! Share with me a simple photo and tell me what surprises you about the picture. Does it remind you of something from childhood? Does it tell a story about a season of your life? Does it bring back an unexpected memory? How did the Lord use it as a way to unexpectedly bless you? I look forward to reading your creative stories!
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Kristin Taylor says
I’ve never been very comfortable in nursing homes, even when visiting people I loved when I was a kid. Your words make me want to go visit someone though.
Beth says
My 21 year-old son works at a senior living home and I love listening to his stories about the time he spends with the residents. On many occassions when their health has taken a turn and they end up in the hospital he goes and visits them. It makes me one proud momma to know he is making a difference in their lives. Thanks for sharing your story Kristen!
Kristen says
You have a raised a good son there, Beth!
Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says
Kristen,
Your post brought back memories of taking my two children to their Nana’s nursing home. Kids can be a breath of fresh air in what we view as a stale environment. Loved the tales of your boys antics!! Now that I’m an “empty nester” I’ve often wondered if some nursing homes would let me bring my very sweet dog Zoe to visit?? You gave me food for thought!
Blessings,
Bev
Kristen says
That’s a great idea, Bev, one worth asking.
Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says
Kristen,
I’m still working on my “beloved place” piece…is it ok if I still link up?? Stay tuned… Bev
Kristen says
Of course!