Friday, May 6, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Human Dignity
I believe that the dignity of a human being is defined by their actions. What people do and say often reflect how they are as a person. My service project gave me the oppurtunity to meet many new people and to interact with each one of them. None of them tried to pinch my cheeks or said I look just like their grandson. Each person I met was very unique. Some people were thrilled to have someone to talk to, others complained about how someone put cinammon in their applesauce. No matter the age or mental soundness of the resident each person their had their own views on their own self worth.
To be honest the whole aspect of a retirement home can be rather depressing at times. Every now and then I return and heard that someone recently passed away. But death is a very natural thing, and while the residents there are surrounded by it, no one gives up! I barely ever see anyone sitting in their room doing nothing or the same group of people playing dominoes. Everyone there, although old, is very jovial and upbeat. There is always a new activity that they are particpating in and that, I believe, is a testament to the self dignity and worth that each person there has. And if we cant learn about our own dignity from them than we are a hopeless cause.
To be honest the whole aspect of a retirement home can be rather depressing at times. Every now and then I return and heard that someone recently passed away. But death is a very natural thing, and while the residents there are surrounded by it, no one gives up! I barely ever see anyone sitting in their room doing nothing or the same group of people playing dominoes. Everyone there, although old, is very jovial and upbeat. There is always a new activity that they are particpating in and that, I believe, is a testament to the self dignity and worth that each person there has. And if we cant learn about our own dignity from them than we are a hopeless cause.
Life Experience
The cliche of going to work at a retirement home is that some old war veteran will pull you aside and ramble on about his days in the service. While I actually did meet some war veterans, when I asked about their experiences, all of them had a similar "I'd rather not talk about it." This had kept me up sometimes thinking about why not. Pop culture glorifies violence through movies and video games, but the actual experience of war and killing is very real and tragic. Growing up in a day and age where walking into school and talking about how many kills you got in Call of Duty is the norm, we cannot even begin to think that this was something that actually happened. But these men didn't play it on an Xbox. They were the ones that were actually there. They were the ones who lost their friends and they know that the haunting experience's they have faced is nothing anyone should be proud of.
One of my favorite parts about working at Harmony Hall was the sheer amount of experience the resident's were willing to share. Being a fan of stories, I often found myself wrapped up in their life during the depression or where they were on December 7th 1941. Whether or not the story they were telling me was the truth or just some delirious, made up story, I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. One of the reasons that we study history today is to learn about cultures and mistakes made in a different time. But there is only so much in text books that we can learn from and having the chance to sit down and learn from the vast knowledge of these people who need help tying their shoelaces, was awe inspiring and a very humbling experience.
One of my favorite parts about working at Harmony Hall was the sheer amount of experience the resident's were willing to share. Being a fan of stories, I often found myself wrapped up in their life during the depression or where they were on December 7th 1941. Whether or not the story they were telling me was the truth or just some delirious, made up story, I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. One of the reasons that we study history today is to learn about cultures and mistakes made in a different time. But there is only so much in text books that we can learn from and having the chance to sit down and learn from the vast knowledge of these people who need help tying their shoelaces, was awe inspiring and a very humbling experience.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Blog Overview Entry 1
My choice to work at Harmony Hall was a little biased. For one My Great Grandmother who is 90 years old lives there, so getting to see her whenever I went was a plus. Also I have been working there for a few years now so I was familiar with the staff and most of the residents. The amount of happiness the residents get every time I show up to play mexican train dominoes or to help run a party, never ceases to amaze me. Even just going for an hour makes peoples day, and being the person to instill that feeling is a very humbling experience. The residents there have experienced so much, world wars, nuclear bombs, depressions, the death of family members, almost everything one can think of up to the early 1900's. And yet, the simple act of showing up to give them my time is always a joyous experience whether it is with my Great Grandmother or any of the resident's that live there that treat me like their own
Grandson. Not only has it been a learning experience for me, but it has been a very spiritual experience as well. Whenever I have any problems whatsoever I know there is a place to go where I can talk to multiple people who have gone through the same experience before. Whether it is the passing of a loved one, or worries about college there is always a nurturing environment for me to not only give but to receive.
Grandson. Not only has it been a learning experience for me, but it has been a very spiritual experience as well. Whenever I have any problems whatsoever I know there is a place to go where I can talk to multiple people who have gone through the same experience before. Whether it is the passing of a loved one, or worries about college there is always a nurturing environment for me to not only give but to receive.
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