Letty felt awful because her dentures were not fitting right. After three visits to her oral surgeon, he said he refund half her money or make a new plate. In a playful tone of voice, she told me: “Maybe, I should just shut my mouth.” Counseling seniors is a joy because their multiple sufferings of lost or pain or disease has taught them to become resilient.My friend shared a story about her next door neighbor Mrs Bloomfield whose washer had broke down. The neighbor told the repairman that the house key would be under the front door mat and when done to put the key and bill back in the same place. One warning about her home. Mrs. Bloomfield loved animals like Letty and she had a rottweiler in her home. The dog was not mean and not to worry, but in the case of her parrot one was warned “never” to speak a word.
The repairman found the key to let himself in and spotted what looked like the meanest dog he ever saw. However, the dog just looked up at the stranger and put his head back on his paws and went to sleep. He started to repair the washer and he heard this noisy parrot in the kitchen. The bird had this awful screaching voice and would not let up jabbing like a leaky faucet. The parrot was really getting on his nerves when our repairman finally reached his boiling point and shouted: ”Shut up you stupid bird!” Immediately, the parrot squaked back: “Get him Brutus.”
There are many Letty’s who worry daily about what will break down next. If your gums and teeth don’t work right, then you are in alot of pain. Worse who really cares for these “poor souls?” I am grateful for their “angels.” This could a neighbor like Stan, or a parishioner like Kathy, or a relative like Marion who phones or visits every week or daily. Sometimes relatives or neighbors take turns in checking to make sure our seniors are safe, fed and teeth are working OK.
We are busy people, but if we take a moment to think, we might know someone who would enjoy a ride to see the Fall colors, or take a “Ghost walk” at the local church or see a play or hear a concert or maybe needs their washer repaired. Sadly, many seniors feel just like Letty that they should keep their mouth shut because family and friends are just too busy.
Pray and reflect: “Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest...” Mark 10:44
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who have been told to keep their mouths shut. Help us to not get annoyed with the parrots in our lives, but to give generosity of our time and talent to help all our senior neighbors or relatives experience the spirit of God’s love for them. Like my good Sonshine friend Stan, may we treat each neighbor with dignity and compassion.
