Valentines

We have a heart in the middle of our name so we are a little inclined to think hearts and valentines anyway. We know that volunteers are the heart of our work. And, for lot of years we've had little children hand make valentines for our seniors. But, the thing I always think about this time of year is a little lady who lived in a nursing home. She had cared for someone her whole life and for the last few years it was her sister. When her sister died she gave up on life believing there was nothing to live for. The nursing home called and I sent a volunteer over with balloons. She said, "I don't like balloon. Go away." The next day I sent the volunteer back with a stuffed animal. She said, "I don't like animals. Just leave." The third day, I sent the volunteer empty handed, but that didn't work either. The next day, a florist called with flowers left over from Valentines Day. This time the volunteer took a beautiful bouquet of flowers. The little lady cried when she saw the flowers and said, "Do you know how long it has been since someone brought me flowers?" They became friends. I have wondered whether it was the flowers, or the persistence of the volunteer. Sometimes the lonely elderly want to know we're coming back --- it isn't just one visit--- we really care. That's what Valentines means to me now.