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!
