I take so many things for granted

Whenever you visit a Rehab Center for the elderly or Nursing Home you are humbled. You walk away with great appreciation for what God has blessed you with including those lessons you learned from the residents themselves. They may not be aware of it but the residents teach and impact us in many ways.

For example, as I looked around the activities room after we had wheeled most of the residents in I noticed one patient who had come in on his own, he isolated himself from the others. Walking over towards this gentleman I quickly observed he was restricted to a walker that had a seat attached to it. His hair was messed up and he had not shaved.
I said, “Hello how are you doing this morning”.
He pulled out and handed me a pre-written note that said, “I cannot hear or speak”. He was carrying a bag on the side of his walker that had a note pad in it, grabbing the note pad I quickly wrote, “My name is Tim Lott and I am with Community Christian Church. We are here to serve you today is there anything you need or I might help you with”? He smiled and wrote, “No thank you I am fine. It’s nice to see your group here today”.

We continued to carry on a conversation with each other by using hand gestures and writing notes on the pad. I walked away wondering how I would be if I was in his place. Would I have been just as humble, patient and tolerable? He made me realize that I take so many things for granted. But the amazing thing is that that was only one resident of about 30 who I was able to interact with. Each taught me a lesson in life and I walked away a better person benefiting from my experience that day.

I was very impressed with the love and kindness our group showed to all of the residents. As a group, we set out to help others, but in reality, I believe it was all of us who served that benefited the most.
Tim Lott
It's All About People!