The Quiltmakers
written by Jimmy Harrison, Aldersgate Chaplain. His mother, Dot Dickson, is a resident at Aldersgate
Many years ago, my great grandmother, who was born around 1865, and lived to be in her 90’s, started making a simple family quilt. As the years went by, and she worked on the quilt, her vision deteriorated to the point that she was no longer able to see the intricate stitchery required to piece the quilt together.
At the time of her passing, the quilt was passed on to her daughter-in-law, which was my grandmother. She worked on the quilt as often as she could, until the time of her death. At this time, as tradition dictates, the still unfinished quilt was passed on to my mother who held it in safe keeping until I married my wonderful wife. Now, my wife, being unable to quilt, passed the quilt to her mother who lovingly worked on the quilt until it was finished.
Once the last intricate stitch had been sewn, my mother-in-law passed it back to me and my family. I was astonished this approximately one hundred year old quilt was complete. This quilt, that had been passed through four generations and was destined to be cherished by my children and their children’s children.
The message of this story is not how long it took to make the quilt, but that sometimes, we seem to forget the little things that a family should cherish as “family traditions”. This quilt is invaluable to our family. It has touched the hands of my wife, mother-in-law, my mother, my grandmother, and great grandmother. What an example of how God touches our lives through others either directly or indirectly, and with patience and persistence, his love always shines through.
There are several things that I would like for you to take from this story. First of all, cherish the family traditions that have been passed down from previous generations, no matter how trivial they may seem to you…these are the stories that we think about when we think about “our families”. Second, be sure to honor and carry on these traditions. If you do not, the traditions will surely stop with your generation. Thirdly, if your family doesn’t have any “family traditions” start one on your own with your children. You will be astonished to see that one day, when they are grown, and you show up at their home for Christmas, with your grandchildren beaming up at you, that your children will have somehow incorporated that tradition into their own family Christmas or whatever holiday or special tradition that it is tied to.
Remember, too, that although we may not always be sure of the exact way that a tradition was started, that we fulfill it. Traditions are your family’s footprint on the world. And often times, footprints fade. Please be the one in your family to carry that quilt with you. Sometimes we go to those outside of our “family” and by that, I mean, the traditional term family. However, God intended for us to all love each other like brothers and sisters, so allow others into your family’s tradition. You will be surprised at the outcome and the joy that it will bring to you and others that you touch.
Lastly, like the quilt that passed through many hands over many years, we can never know just how far and for what duration a kind deed that we perform or a kindness that we show, will travel. If only we knew….. If only we knew!
It Must Be Friday!
“It must be Friday!” says Mr. Murray James when he sees the big collie walking in the door. For the past 5 years almost every Friday Shane comes to Aldersgate. He was a rescue from East Mississippi Animal Rescue League in 2004 and now has a home with Debbie Swann who is also the HUD Manager at Aldersgate.
Most of the time, he lies near the door of Debbie’s office, hoping that everyone who passes by will stop and pet him. While she eats lunch, he lies under Trish Neal’s (Administrative Assistant) desk or in the boss’ office. If he comes on Thursday, he tries to sneak down to worship service and get a quick visit in before Debbie notices that he is gone. He goes quietly up and down the rows, wagging his tail and greeting everyone. If he comes on Friday, he slips into exercise class to see what’s going on there.
Mrs. Virginia Smith calls him “Beautiful”. “He always comes straight to me before the service because he knows I’ll scratch his ears.” Mrs. Willie Mae Hodges (who was caught feeding him ice cream one day!), said “I love to see him every Friday.”
Aldersgate is an Eden Alternative® campus and encourages a homelike atmosphere and relationship building. Lawona Broadfoot, Executive Director of Aldersgate, has known Shane since the day he came straight from EMARL to Aldersgate, on his way home with Debbie. "Shane is part of our Aldersgate family and he ministers to both residents and staff. We look forward to Friday's when we can pet Shane and forget all our troubles. Shane is a special blessing to all at Aldersgate.”
Shane was on the cover of the Aldersgate 2009 calendar as well as “Mr. August” in the Meridian Star 2009 Top Dog Calendar. He takes it all in stride, never letting his “fame” affect his humble nature.
Besides being quiet and gentle with friends and strangers alike, Shane seems to rekindle fond memories in people. “I can’t tell you how often someone who is petting or talking to Shane has told me about a dog they loved or one they had as a child. I think part of it is that he reminds them of the old collie-type dog that was so familiar and beloved on in the rural areas where many people grew up.”
Of course not everyone loves dogs, but it’s hard to find anyone at Aldersgate that doesn’t at least smile when Shane goes moseying by.
This big easy going canine sometimes seems to have an insight on what people need. Debbie remembers, “one day, a resident who was moving away from Aldersgate to be near her family was sitting in the chair just outside my door. She had that sad, far-away look in her eyes; she knew that she needed to move, but would miss her friends at Aldersgate so much.” In a few minutes Debbie noticed that Shane had disappeared and found him standing close beside the lady as she stroked his head. “He just knew what to do. Sometimes, you just need someone to be close to, not to tell you what to do or tell you not to feel bad, just to be there so you don’t feel alone. He’s good at that.”
Aldersgate is all about caring for those who are aging and now, after five years of being part of the Aldersgate family, Shane, too, is feeling the effects of time. His slim brown face is showing a little silver here and there and he has arthritis in his ankles. It doesn’t stop his obvious enjoyment of his second home and the companionship he offers his family throughout the day.
“He really loves coming here and I plan to continue bringing him as long as he is wanted and feels like coming”.
For more information about living at Methodist Senior Services Aldersgate, call 601-482-5561.
Queen of the Henry Clay
By: Emily Jones (Reprinted with permission from her blog, The Deluded Diva)
Seldom do we stop and observe greatness when it’s practically knocking us down. This week I got it. I observed a senior citizen who has endured huge set backs to rise above it all and build a life that spreads a kind of zest that is contagious in her community.
Grace Clark, the mother of my best friend Norma, is pushing 85 and just now hitting her stride. She holds court each day in the restaurant of the Henry Clay Hotel in West Point, Mississippi. I love to be there.
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Mrs. Sarah
Mrs. Sarah Watson came to Dugan in July 2007. She was no longer able to live in her own home and told her doctor and family, “Dugan is the only place I am going.” She had a first cousin, who she called Mae Mae, living here and they had talked on the phone everyday for years. When Mrs. Sarah moved in the phone arrangement continued. They would visit in each other’s room and as quickly as one would be alone, she would call the other. Eventually, we were able to move them into the same room. The two of them talked day and night and looked out for each other. Mrs. Sarah’s childhood nickname of “Dimple” was resurrected through their companionship. “I was always Dimple to them,” she says.
Sadly, Mrs. Sarah’s cousin passed away in December 2008. Mrs. Sarah tells me that she would not trade anything for this time with Mae Mae. Mrs. Sarah continues to think of Dugan as home and tells me she always will. “I am not going nowhere. Dugan is and will always be my home.” She enjoys therapy, and watching Days of Our Lives and the news. Mrs. Sarah maintains a close relationship with the staff at Dugan and the outside community. She keeps abreast of all that is happening in the lives of the staff frequently asking them about their family members and situations in their lives. She passes the days and nights by listening to the police scanner and making phone calls to family and friends.
Traceway Resident Wins Gold
Last year, Bill Nettles participated in the USA Track and Field Indoor National Championships held in Boston, MS. He returned home with three gold medals in the following events in the 85-89 age category:
Weight Throw (12 lbs)-30 feet, 1 inch
Super Weight Throw (25 lbs.)-18 feet, 9 inches*
Shot Put (3k)-30 feet 71/2 inches
*Pending National Record
Mr. Nettles and his wife Ruby are residents of the Traceway Retirement Community. Methodist Senior Services congratulates Bill for representing us so well.
...And the Living Is Easy: Volunteers Sweeten Retirement at Wesley Manor
By: Kristen Twedt
Independent living means making the most of retirement at Wesley Manor Retirement Community—with a little help from nearly a hundred community volunteers. At the age of 82, Laura Shook volunteers her time and talents for the sole purpose of helping friends.
"One of the reasons I volunteer is because I am so happy here," said Shook. "I get involved and help others get involved because we’re happier that way. When you’re out and about and busy, that’s that much time you’re not sitting in your apartment just thinking about your aches and pains."
Heart Story, MMSS, Inc., 2007
Madeline Jones moved into Wesley Manor two years ago. "My first night, I slept great," she recalled. "The next morning, my daughter came to my apartment early to tell me my son had been killed in a car wreck. We left right away for Kansas City."
A mother of three, Madeline suffered a deep loss with the passing of her son. When she returned to Wesley Manor, she discovered one of the most treasured advantages of retirement here: the powerful compassion of kind and understanding friends....
Esther McCord - Hattiesburg, MS
Esther McCord has twice made Hattiesburg her home. She retired to Wesley Manor Retirement Community in 2004, but the enthusiastic fan of South Mississippi first moved to Hattiesburg when she was six years old.
“We moved here from Jackson in 1939, just before World War II,” said McCord. “Back then, it was a fairly small town and very quiet. My dad, Maurice Monroe Crum, worked as a sign painter and artist. Not long ago, they tore down an old building in downtown Hattiesburg that still had one of the signs he painted.” McCord and her three brothers and sister attended school in Dixie and at Forrest County Agricultural High School in Brooklyn....
A Christmas Poem
The night was dark, the stars were bright,
Angels sang in the holy light.
Animals lowed and shepherds came
To see the child, our Savior and King.
Wisemen traveled from lands afar,
Following with faith His special star.
Jesus came to cleanse us from sin,
Giving us freedom – a new life to begin.
On a tree He gave His life
To save us from the times of strife.
He rose again with victory and love
And grace and mercy from our Father above.
With humble hearts our hands we raise
To our blessed Savior with heartfelt praise.
So we celebrate Christmas, the time of His birth,
And welcome His peace over all of the earth.
Merry Christmas & Blessings!
Phyllis Rice, Trinity Resident Since 2005
Christmas at 95
by: Carol Fegert
As the Activity Director at Flowers Manor in Clarksdale, I can say I have had many rewarding moments. Just witnessing the joy on the residents’ faces when they are having a good time is rewarding enough for me or so I thought. Allow me to share with you my favorite Christmas memory.
Since Flowers Manor is now fortunate enough to have a van, I have been able to introduce activities which would have otherwise been impossible. Without realizing the impact it would have on the residents, I took it upon myself to sign them up in the local downtown Christmas Parade. As this event is run by the Chamber of Commerce to promote the season and the city, it is required that all entries decorate their float. Okay, so we didn’t have a float but we had something even better, a great big snow colored van! Now the question was how in the world could we make it look like it belonged in a parade? With the help of one of our talented maintenance workers, we actually were able to make Santa proud.
He is the Reason We are ALL Here
We never stop growing in our love and respect for our elders. Over the years we have learned so much about them and how they lived their lives in years past.
One gentleman spent most of his adult life running a hardware store, raising his family and serving God. Riggs has been his home since the day we opened our doors. The years have passed, his family has grown up, his health has declined, but the one thing that has not changed is his strong faith in God.
Recently, near the end of a Gospel Singing held on the Riggs campus, the congregation sang “Because He Lives”. With the greatest of effort, slowly and shakily, 97 year old Bob (not his real name) pushed himself up, lifted his hands to Heaven and exclaimed with joy, “I haven’t heard that song in so long. He’s the reason! He’s the reason I’m here!”
The fact is, He is the reason we are ALL here!
Hurricane Katrina
In 2005, Katrina created an unbelievable tragedy for the residents of Mississippi and Louisiana. However, it also brought an opportunity for us to share our faith and show our love to those less fortunate.
Here at Riggs Manor, we have been blessed to serve several Katrina victims who lost most of their possessions during the storm. One particular lady, a lifelong resident of New Orleans, fled her home with her nephew and his family with only a few personal items. Ultimately, this wonderful lady made her way here. After the Louisiana flood waters receded, the family faced the grim fact that they had lost everything.
Alice (not her real name) would become a permanent resident at Riggs. Over the past two years her needs increased, and a move to Assisted Living became necessary. Her only family members had returned to Louisiana to begin the recovery process and were unable to assist in the move.
Our staff pitched in after hours and moved her belongings (which had grown substantially, thanks to donations from caring folks) to her new apartment. We set up her new home, adding special touches through personal donations. Even the mover who helped move larger items donated his time after hearing Alice’s story.
You would think she was the one who had been blessed by being here at Riggs, but we think we’re the ones who have been blessed to be a part of this resident’s life.
Harold the Gardener
One of our relatively new residents, Harold Lahr, happens to be 84 years young. He still works in his own landscape business. He is the personification of the Eden Alternative. Harold started a garden at Riggs, and his vision is to have a garden worthy of exhibiting to the public.
He keeps his mind and body active by gardening, but is doing it for others perhaps more than for himself. Harold has proclaimed his creation a “community garden” so other resident gardeners can enjoy it. But, he’s not finished. Right now Harold is building a greenhouse for growing fall and winter plants. Last summer he had about 110 tomato plants and provided tomatoes to other residents, employees, and for the kitchen to serve the residents.
I wish you could see the smiles on our faces, how we all LOVE those tasty fresh, homegrown tomatoes!
