Volunteerism

The need for volunteers to provide community service is ever present. Why volunteer? Why be bothered?

I often hear seniors complain about being alone, being isolated. In fact,survey after survey shows that isolationism is the number one issue for our seniors population. I don't get it. There are so many things that need to be done, so many opportunities to get engaged in the community, it is hard for me to really understand how people can not find something worthwhile to engage in for themselves. Yes, I appreciate that often there are numerous obstacles to overcome, such as transportation, but all too often these are excuses not reality.

Years ago when my children were much younger they were "made" to do community service. We volunteered through our church to serve Holiday dinners at the local food pantry for homeless families, we volunteered to clean the parks through the boyscouts, we collected food for the local food pantry, and we donated money annually to a charity of my kids choosing. Why did we do this? Because, I felt it was important that my children develop an appreciation for something larger than themselves. They needed to understand the sense of community and their place in it. They also needed to appreciate how fortunate they were compared to some, and not only to remain humble but to give back to the community as much as possible to help those less fortunate.

Did these lessons always work? Did they ultimately learn this appreciation? Yes; but I confess, I had help. In 2007, while living in San Diego area, we lost our home and all our belongings in one of the area's wild fires fueled by the Santa Ana winds. It was terribly traumatic for the family; but, especially the kids. However, they lived through it and are better for it. They experienced first hand the value of community service and volunteerism as a recipient. All of a sudden they were truly homeless, without personal possessions. They had no home, with a warm bed, in which to sleep. All the clothes they had were the ones they were wearing. All of a sudden, when someone they didn't know held out a helping hand, they understood the value.

My daughter, who at the time was entering her senior year of highschool, used this experience as the basis of her college admissions essay. This was her very big and personal "AHA" moment. Now all those years of "forced" volunteer work she was made to do made sense to her. She had now benefitted and was able to internalize the value to herself, and in turn others. She was overwhelmed with the graciousness and unselfish giving from the community - churches, schools, other organizations - but more specifically from her friend, peers, and other warm hearted individuals. It was personal, it was a person- to- person caring that she felt. It was what let her move forward and recover from the fire's trauma on her life. She continues to reach out to others through her volunteer work and I believe she always will.

This was true for my other children as well.

Should this type of personal trauma be necessary for someone to learn the value of community service and the value of being a volunteer? NO. But, it does serve the purpose to illustrate how it does occasionally come full circle. Seniors who can volunteer, should. it solves the problem of being isolated from the community, it establishes tremendous personal esteem, and it absolutely benefits others who need it the most! Comments?

Seniors and their pets....

Last week my mother's dog died.

My Mom is 87 years old, and for the past 14+ years has lived alone with her dog, Blackie. Blackie was a mixture of shepherd, collie, and who know what else but to my mom he was pure gold. He was her sole, and soul, companion for most days. They had a very special relationship to say the least. Seven years ago my Mom was diagnosed with stomach cancer and had to have her stomach removed as part of the prescribed therapy. She lives today, healthier than before her diagnosis, thanks to her dog, Blackie. On those days, in the weeks and months immediately following her surgery, when she felt like she couldn't, or didn't want to go on, she did so simply to take care of her dog. She made herself not only get out of bed, during her surgery recovery, but she made herself go out and walk her dog. Not only did this help, if not accelerate, her physical recovery but it also gave her the mental and spiritual activity she needed to stay engaged in her own well being, for the well being of her pet. My family owes a great deal to this animal!

He served not only as her constant companion, but also as her protector. The neighborhood we were raised in, like many in urban areas, has significantly changed over the past 40+ years. The demographics changed along with an absence of pride in home ownership. The collegial family atmosphere of our childhood neighborhood simply disappeared to be replaced with an atmosphere of drugs, hoodlums, violence, and fear. Still, my Mom would walk her dog twice a day without fear. Once, out on one of their early morning excursions, they were attacked by a neighbor's untethered pitbull terrier. Mom ended up with multiple wounds on her forearms but Blackie prevailed until help arrived in the form of a friendly motorist who noticed their dilemma and stopped to help them. Blackie was known and respected throughout her neighborhood. Candidly, this protected Mom...kept her safe in her home as most knew to keep their distance from her protector, Blackie.

Now Blackie is gone and I find myself worrying much more about my Mom. I worry about her safety and her overall sense of well being. I have tried to convince her to move from her home (and neighborhood) or to get another pet, another "Blackie"; but her response, "I am likely not to be here long enough to raise another dog, and I am not moving from my home!". Many of us tend to take pets for granted, or even find them a nuisance with which we a forced to tolerate. In his death, I have gained new appreciation, not just for Blackie; but, for every pet that provides irreplaceable companionship for our seniors. Anyone, disagree??