I wanted to stop everything tonight and take a quick second to write up this post so that I can always remember the program that we went to tonight.
My daughter Storie “adopted” a friend at a senior center this year through her school. Her friend Anna, comes weekly to her school and they read together.
Storie comes home and tells me about Anna and the books they read. At Christmas she got a beautifully hand written card from Anna, in handwriting that we just don’t see anymore. It was so beautiful, and real penmanship.
Tonight was their end of the year program where we went to the senior center to meet their adopted friends and the kids had a chance to read aloud to the room.
I couldn’t help but be filled with emotion as we walked in the room to see these beautiful seniors all dressed up and eagerly waiting for their student to arrive. My heart broke as some kept looking and looking for their little friends and they were not able to make it.
Anna is 92, beautiful, smart, and loves my little girl. She shared with me so many of the funny things Storie had told her over the year about her family and the things that she likes to do. Anna told me about all the books they read together and how much it made her entire day to see Storie. She asked us to please come visit her this summer and let Storie read to her. I couldn’t say YES fast enough!
What an amazing program they have created for kids all from volunteers. I am touched by all the time and effort generous people put into volunteering, they touch all of our lives. From scouts, to educational programs and even things like the Houston Rodeo people who give their time and talents in service to others have no idea how they bless the lives of those around them.
I am so grateful for all the people who serve and for the times I have been blessed to volunteer as well. Often I have found that I was expecting to do service and found that in doing the service I was the one who was served.
I can’t wait to bring all the kids back to read to Anna this summer and for them to meet Stories adopted friend!
Part comedian, part Dad, part athlete. He will boss around your children while they play ball.
Just as angelic as she looks, this girl could easily raise a Village by herself, and all the children would grow up to be President.
Self proclaimed, she would be a webkinz dog. Because, "they're cute, and puppies are too. And they're sweet and they always get along with other puppies."
This mini-Martha Stewart can handle ANY craft you send her way. She isn't all bows and rainbows, she's got karate kid moves!
Not "Pick-Me-Up" like caffeine, she wants you to pick her up! AND NOW!
Anything that can be destroyed WILL be destroyed!
Practically Perfect in Every Way for now! Nicknamed "The Panda" she is rolly polly and lives by the motto, "the little one, is KING!"
The resident Labradoodle, Miller got his name because Mom won and got to name the baby! Need something chewed up? He'll take care of it. Especially if it's expensive..
Aww, that is very sweet! Its hard to tell who is the volunteer & who is the beneficiary! Whenever people tell us “God bless you”, or “I don’t know how you do it”, I always tell them what a privilege our journey has been & will continue to be as we are preparing to do it all again! I have been blessed a MILLION times more by my children than they ever will be by me. Many times giving of yourself is an honor & I was so happy to see you post that tonight.
“I am so grateful for all the people who serve and for the times I have been blessed to volunteer as well. Often I have found that I was expecting to do service and found that in doing the service I was the one who was served.” Isn’t this the way it works so often??? What a blessing for Storie to have found such a great friend!! I bet Anna will be thrilled when you take all of your kids to read with her this summer!!
Love this! Makes me miss my Granny. Spending time with older generations is invaluable…you can learn so much and it helps you appreciate life. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks for sharing your beautiful experience. Perhaps others will be inspired by your post. We never know just how much our actions affect others and makea difference in their life. A little can go such a longway. God bless.
What a wonderful moment to share! My heart is full 🙂
It sounds like both your daughter and Anna benefited from the program in many ways. I wish more schools had the ability to do the enrichment programs like this.
That’s so awesome. I use to work as a geriatric nurse, and I know how lonely some of these people can get. They love visitors, especially kids! Many long term care facilities offer Adopt-A-Grandparent programs, and it is a great way for kiddos to volunteer.
I really love older people. I know a lot of people don’t, but I could sit and hold their hand and chat all day.
you just made me cry
I trust that you will make good on your word to Anna & I know that it will mean the WORLD to her to see Storie again! This relationship was sent from the Man above..
How sweet!!!! made me tear up. 🙂