STORIES

Stories

Everyone has a story. I believe in the importance of sharing your story.

Our lives have been enriched with stories and tales passed down through centuries. Stories have the power to educate the listener or reader. Ideas can be transmitted from one person to another. These ideas enlighten the reader without the reader having to experience the actual situation, while still allowing them to learn from it. Information affects other people’s lives. Stories shared can inspire others to take action or make changes.

But…

What is a story without someone to share it with, or someone to listen?

The year 2018 ended with me questioning; How can I make the world a better place? After praying and reflecting, I decided that my New Year’s Resolution would be focused on serving others. So, I started volunteering at a local assisted living facility working with the elderly. I realized that to begin, I would need to create space. I am passionate about this cause and was more than willing to clear away the old to create room for the new. After meeting these lovely souls, I have become dedicated to helping them in any way that I can. Serving others makes me feel excited and purpose-filled. In the future, I plan to provide Reiki/Energy Healing for interested residents but would like to begin by creating relationships. 

I have been visiting the assisted living facility for several weeks now. I meet with five residents weekly. There are a few activities that we partake in such as card games, board games, and coloring. Their absolute favorite activity is conversating, communicating, and sharing stories. I truly treasure these moments and listening to their stories. The residents I converse with are all well into their nineties and filled with experience and wisdom. I find myself so immersed in deep conversation with them that I lose track of time. It’s as if for a moment we are suspended and frozen in time.

The residents occasionally express their frustrations due to various health issues, memory care, and loss of loved ones.  After living such exciting lives, they feel confined to the facility. They are no longer able to act as independently as they once could. Their primary source of dissatisfaction originates from feelings of lack of control. They long to be heard and at times just need to vent. I listen and understand their frustrations. Although we can’t change the situation, we can change our perspective.

Our conversations are generally nostalgic in nature. They speak of happy memories, relationships with loved ones, previous accomplishments, times of enjoyment from the past, and of things that have vanished from their lives. I enjoy seeing their eyes light up when they share these heartfelt memories with me.

John is without a doubt the most interesting resident that I have met. John has accomplished many things in his life like traveling the world, flying airplanes, serving in the military during WWII, playing various sports, raising a family, and meeting famous jazz musicians. John appreciates intellectual conversation and often complains that he cannot debate with the other residents. I believe he lives to debate. He revels in conversation about theology and history. I share my opinions and outlandish theories, and he responds by countering every one of them. He seems to be entertained by my eccentric spirit, even stating that “my tea parties must be lively.”

Through this process, I have learned the power of stories and how they can bring us together. I started this journey with a goal to help the residents, but they have given me just as much in return. Each of their stories has inspired me and given me a greater understanding of their amazing lives. The process of storytelling also gives them a feeling of purpose. They feel as if they are teaching the next generation and are able to recount some of their greatest memories. I feel honored knowing that with each conversation we have they are passing down wisdom to me. I will cherish these moments, their words, and their stories forever.