This morning I took down all my Christmas cards. I had already taken down my Christmas decorations last Sunday (twelfth night), but my lovely collection of cards and beautiful messages had remained on the dresser and shelf. This morning I re read the beautiful messages of hope, good wishes, love and blessings and they blessed me all over again.
In doing so, I was thinking about how words, in particular written words speak to me. If you know the book “The Five Love Languages” written by Gary Chapman this describes how various forms of language speak to a person stronger than another form (I ‘hear’ things so much better when they are written down, or written in an encouraging way). My mother was a gift giver, you couldn’t walk out the door without some cakes, a small container of soup etc as that was her love language. Whilst some in my family, their language is ‘Acts of Service’. Anyway, I digress.
So, it got me to thinking re the elderly people in our lives. What is their love language? How do we show our support of them through the love language that speaks to them the loudest. It was interesting hearing how one the pastors at my church had a ‘moment’ with his mother (who had been diagnosed with vascular dementia) just before Christmas, as he was reading out a story. All of a sudden, there was a moment of connection between them, because he was speaking her love language. It was a beautiful story.
Last September when I visited my Aunt in Alice Springs, I took her out to some nearby gardens and in a quiet space – so that she could hear me properly as she finds it difficult hearing in a café where there are competing noises. I sat and read letters from friends of hers. I had written to them saying she had moved to Aged Care and probably wouldn’t be in a position to return their letters/cards but advising that my aunt was well etc. I received a number of beautiful letters in return. My aunt could not remember any of these people, even though they had at various times been significant in her life. But she did enjoy listening to the letters being read out. It was a lovely time.
Caring for the elderly takes a bit more of an effort to be creative in our busy shedules. They don’t need much, but they want you to speak to them in a way that is meaningful. Let us know if we can help in any way, contact us through our website www.bluehopeconsulting.com.au via the contact page or on 0412 994 759.