...freezing...

Snowstorm today in Rochester, NY.

...giving & listening heart.

Joy is not a thing, it is in us. - Benjamin Franklin -

The elderly individuals are looking forward to meet and to see their relatives. They are talking about this meeting during this blessed Christma Day. What make an elderly individual joyful is seeing their grand-children and children.

Joy needs to start from us and not the Gift of package we hand over to our grand-parents or parents. We are the greatest gift to them, visit them and give them joy, love and hope. It is the giving and listening heart.

...motherhouse echoes with the sound of piano, guitar, drums and voices...

Today voices from 3 year old girl was heard from the recreation room. There were about 28 peoples (ages 65 to 100 ) listened and enjoyed the voices of young children ( 3 year old to 10 year old) and teenagers (between 12 year old to 15 year old) who sang the Christmas Carol.

They came to bring the Good News of love, peace, hope and joy in preparation for the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

...appreciate God's blessing.

When was the last time you stopped and pondered about your journey of life? I often overlooked to stop for awhile and be thankful to God for the many blessings that I have received in my life. Can we slow down little and appreciate God's blessing?

Mt. Kinabalu the highest mountain in South East Asia.

"Linudus ilo Kinabalu." I had reached on the summit of this mountain at 7.00 a.m. in 1977.

...be positively sensitive to her/his needs.

"Where am I going?" asked by 87 year old woman. I saw her sitting alone at the recreation room. I told her, "it is lunch time and I need to wheel you to the dining hall." She was very happy after she heard that I will accompany to the dining hall.

In this wonderful place, a person at this age can be "forgetful' and not knowing what is the time and where to go. The lesson for me as a caregiver is, I need to be positively sensitive to her/his needs.

Blind but hearing...

An 87 year old woman said, "Just talk, I can hear but I cannot see you." It is very inspiring to hear her words because she still appreciates and wants to listen even though she is unable to see me.

When was the last time, we have given encouragement to others?