Elder Belle's Blessing: Sarah And The Women In The Activities Room

Elder Belle's Blessing is an award bestowed from time to time on those who have improved or enhanced the lives of elders.  Today's recipients are three wonderful women, Sarah, Pia, and Beth, who all work in the Activities Room at the Cuckoo's Nest, that wonderful place in which I currently live.  Their mission is to get the residents out of their rooms and into a place where they can socialize, exercise, and develop a sense of community.  In my opinion, these three women have fulfilled that mission with skill, compassion, and grace.

I've participated in activities right from the start.  After doing the morning "chair exercises" for a couple of weeks, I moved from sitting in my wheelchair to walking behind it, using the chair as a "walker."  I went on the Activities Bus to Target, to Wal -Mart, and to the San Manuel Casino (where I lost my $40).  I've participated in discussions of current events.  One morning a week I read the local newspaper to those residents with visual problems.

And this week I got a manicure from Sarah, my first in at least 15 years, which involved having my hands massaged with lotion, my nails filed, and polish applied.  The cost?  A hug.  While getting the manicure, I participated in a very civil debate with other residents on whether or not unemployment insurance should have been extended. It turns out that I'm not the only liberal in the joint.

As you can no doubt tell, I'm quite happy in this joint, and the women running the Activities Room are a big reason why.