“I feel an earnest and humble desire, and shall till I die, to increase the stock of harmless cheerfulness.” -Charles Dickens
“Cheerfulness is the very flower of health.” -Proverbs
The holiday season can bring families closer together but it can also tear them apart. Any special day–whether a birthday, an anniversary, Valentine’s Day or Christmas–can create an extra set of expectations. Since so much in life is beyond our control, often our great expectations can lead to great disappointments. If we could only learn not to take ourselves and each other so seriously, so much heartache could be prevented. Playfulness and humor can be important spices to add to our scrumptious holiday menus.
Yesterday, on Christmas, a group of us had arranged to sing carols at several convalescent hospitals. At the last moment, more than half of those committed were either too tired, too sick, or too overwhelmed to show up. The five of us who remained could have decided not to do it or could have been upset or angry at our partners, children or parents. Instead, we ventured forth in good spirits.
At one of our stops, an elderly woman stood by the door of her room, leaning on an attendant so she could stand while we serenaded her. She smiled and sang along with a wonderful grin. When we stopped, she said sassily, “Do you know how old I am? I’m 105 years old.” Here she was– sharp as a tack, speaking to one of us in French, another in Italian, and then singing an entire song to us in Spanish. Her attitude and warmth brought us all great delight. We know nothing of the hardships and losses that she must have weathered given all those years of life. No one was visiting her but our tiny little choir, but her cheerfulness was a gift and a lesson i will long remember.
I love it – reminds me of my days with the Soundettes in Larchmont. There was one nursing home that we called the pregnancy test, because if you were pregnant, the odor would make you sick. I went there before Lauren was bornNL 2E and just made it. So glad you are sharing your talent with others. Love you, Gene