Minette

A CHURCH FROM THE WINDOW OF MY CHURCH

Monday, 30. March 2009, 01:41:25

I go to church in a nursing home.
My pastor, friend and co-worker does his ministry at four nursing homes. I attend one with him twice a week.
I’ve had a problem with churches for a long time.
No matter how well intentioned they soon become about people’s petty, personal power. It makes me crazy. Church is supposed to be about God’s word.
But going to the nursing home is great.
The people who live there appreciate us coming so much.
They appreciate a chance to worship especially those who aren’t mobile and can’t easily go out.
We sing hymns for about a half an hour, we all enjoy that.
Then my pastor gives a lesson and always ties it into their daily lives in the home.
He also addresses issues like abuse on occasion and tells them should anyone abuse them in any way that the director of the home wants to know about it and they will be protected if they just go to him.
He reminds them that as long as they are alive on this Earth that God has a plan for them, that God is aware of them and that we are all, each of us, important to God. We know this because He created us at all.
These are wonderful people, some of them all but forgotten by those they used to interact with daily.
I’ve run into several of my old customers from the restaurant and they are thrilled to be recognized.
I did a story for my newspaper about one of the residents there and they all enjoyed seeing the article in print.
Just like I am important to God these people are important to me. I make sure to say hello to each of them, ask how they're doing, let them talk if they need to and sometimes cry also.
A friend of mine is a temporary resident there. He was in a bad car accident and between surgeries he is staying there. He’s only 33 so I visit with him often.
Of course in doing that I see others also. When he is no longer needing to be there I think I'll still keep going often.
From the nursing home windows I can see several of the churches down in the town.
The home is on a hill in a beautiful old mansion that has been added to but in the style it was originally built in. It’s a beautiful building and well kept. It’s clean and comfortable.
I think my pastor and friend is pretty special for taking care of the elderly.
In this country we don’t treat our elderly well, that has always bothered me.
I welcome the opportunity to give them some attention and love.
I think I get way more back in return.

THE OLD NEIGHBORHOODPOSITRON with my friend Reid Trevaskis

Comments

hugh_chips # 30. March 2009, 08:50

Is a nursing home the place for injured people or for elderly ones to leave without their children, Minette?

I just think it is a small hospital.

Minette # 30. March 2009, 15:27

A nursing home is a place, usually, for elderly people who can no longer live by themselves for whatever reason.
On occasion there will be an injured person who needs care but doesn't qualify to stay in the hospital because of insurance limitations.

hugh_chips # 31. March 2009, 03:11

How nice its purpose is! In our country there may be similar places, but not many, and of course not popular as well. I wish there were more, so we can easily go there and help people whenever we have time. Do you often go to a nursing home? It is so kind of you to do so.

Minette # 31. March 2009, 13:04

I go to two homes, Woodlawn 2-3 times a week and the one where my friend Larry is about 1 a week.
I think in Viet Nam you treat your elderly better.

hugh_chips # 31. March 2009, 13:46

In our country, many generations of a family often live together in one house though there are many of the youth nowadays like to live independently. In most of vietnamese families, elderly live with one of their own children. Each city may have one or more nursing homes, but they are not popular to everybody, so we can rarely directly do something good for the ones who need our help. We often give some help through some organizations.

Minette # 31. March 2009, 13:48

In America too many of our elderly are left alone. We don't revere them the way they deserve to be. Our young think our old don't know anything when they have a lifetime of knowledge.
It's too bad.

hugh_chips # 31. March 2009, 14:28

Luckily, many of our young generation are still in tradition. Though they live alone or not, most of them rarely leave their elderly alone. But to my mind, the modern life will make some new generations like the ones in your country, so I can't be sure about the future.

Minette # 31. March 2009, 22:44

I don't like it. It is right to take care of our elderly family members. My parents are both gone but I took care of my mother for 5 months, I moved myself and my 4 cats in with her to take care of her so she could die in her home. I keep up with several elderly friends near where I live also.
Tradition like that is good.
American has no tradition.

hugh_chips # 1. April 2009, 04:00

But there are some like you, right?

Minette # 1. April 2009, 15:04

Yes

Thank God

hugh_chips # 1. April 2009, 15:41

Do you raise four cats?

Minette # 1. April 2009, 16:22

I only have 3 now.
My oldest died a year ago, he was almost 18.
Broke my heart

He was an angel, really!
I also have a leopard gecko which is a lizard.
I love my pets

hugh_chips # 2. April 2009, 01:16

I love pets too. I used to raise 3 cats, two dogs, but they all gone now.

The last cat died about three months ago and it made all my family sad for a long time. It was only six years and very beautiful one. The first two one were stolen after I had raised them for six years. Now we have no furry pets because my little daughter has asthma. But I will have some when she is grown up, I hope so.

Minette # 2. April 2009, 03:36

My lizard has no hair :-D
But he doesn't cuddle either.
Sorry about your kitties!!!
Busy tomorrow and Friday, tomorrow I have to leave at 9:30 AM to drive 2 hours for a seminar that doesn't get over until 7 PM...then 2 hours home. Friday I have to get up early to go clean til 3ish, rush home for a shower and then up to video the band in Vermont til late at night. I can't wait until Saturday LOL. I'm tired just thinking about it.

hugh_chips # 3. April 2009, 08:23

Your days seem too busy with things.

Busy days often make us more active and healthy, don't they?

Minette # 3. April 2009, 13:07

Often yes. This week I'm just tired LOL

hugh_chips # 6. April 2009, 07:57

How is your weekend? Do you feel much better?

Minette # 6. April 2009, 15:35

It was slow, which made me happy and yes I feel much better thank you.

I hope your weekend was good too.

SummerAngel # 10. April 2009, 13:57

Minette, I agree that we Americans oftentimes do not honor our elderly and show them the respect they deserve. This is especially true if they reach a point in their lives when they can no longer care for themselves.

Our healthcare system also adds to this problem by forcing them to go into nursing homes after X amount of days of hospital care. My grandfather thought he had all his bases covered by having private insurance as well as the insurance from social security (which also has to be paid for).

In order for my grandfather to be afforded the 'luxury' of recovering in his own home after a massive heart attack, he was forced to pay for a private visiting nurse. The family worked out a schedule to make sure someone was there to support my grandmother and to give her any assistance she needed until he recovered.

I know that some nursing home residents are there because they have no family to care for them, but for those who do, I think the healthcare rules should be changed to provide longer hospital stays and in home after care when needed.

Minette # 10. April 2009, 21:37

I agree absolutely. When my mother was dying I moved myself and my 4 cats to Lincoln, MA so she could stay home. I had no help until the last 3 weeks when she entered the Hospice program. Then I had the home health aide 2 hours a day so I could go run errands like to the pharmacy and the grocery store.
I had 2 friends that did help me when they could, thank God.
Her treatments were coverd because she had supplemental insurance.
Some of the people in the homes are there because their needs are too great for home care though, that I do understand.
My biggest problem, often nobody will listen to these people who have a lifetime of wisdom and usually know what they're talking about.
I'm not talking demtia of course...
It would be cheaper to help them stay at home also, nursing homes cost mega bucks and our system seems to work backwards.

SummerAngel # 10. April 2009, 22:12

With the economy the way it is now, maybe our healthcare system will change some of their policies.

Minette # 11. April 2009, 00:26

It would be nice. I do think Obama favors home care over institutions. This one, Woodlawn, is really very nice and they take good care of their people. I know some others that aren't so nice...

hugh_chips # 11. April 2009, 09:21

HAPPY EASTER TO YOU, MINETTE.

SummerAngel # 11. April 2009, 10:01

Minette # 11. April 2009, 14:48

Thank you people!!! LOL, I'm old and I don't know how to embed graphics in these messages but HAPPY EASTER to you too!

hugh_chips # 11. April 2009, 15:36

That's all right, Minette. I just want you to see these cute animals. But if you want to make your comments more colorful, you can use this site
(http://www.seekcodes.com/)I've just found it out several days ago.)

Minette # 11. April 2009, 17:09

Thank you!!!

e swamy # 19. September 2009, 09:02

do you think it is only in USA, in India also we leave our elderly people to fend for themselves.
the number of crimes against old wealthy is an indication.
old age homes are growing in numbers.
another reason is the middle class in india have adopted one child norm, and this is going to leave the elders lonely as the child grows up.
(me included)

Minette # 21. September 2009, 03:02

Ah, the world changes as it must but sometimes I wish for the old days!

SummerAngel # 21. September 2009, 16:34

eswaran45, Having only one child may leave me lonely also.

I certainly hope not because I look forward to having grandchildren.

How are you Minette? I haven't seen you around much lately.

Minette # 21. September 2009, 20:05

I'm well and hope you are too. I've been busy is all (thank God). I sometimes don't get here for a few days and I haven't been able to post lately. Winter is coming, I'll get back to Opera soon on a more regular basis

SummerAngel # 21. September 2009, 23:57

I spend more time on the computer in winter also. It's been raining a lot the last few weeks here, so I've had more time. I don't make a lot of posts myself. I mostly visit other blogs. Catch ya when the snow falls.