Loving the Members of Our Community
/The concept of community and those who live outside of our 4 walls can be tough for young rascals to understand. It is hard for young minds to think about things they cannot see or experience. The idea of being alone, feeling lonely, or not getting affection are concepts our little people may not understand. Yet, there are people of all ages and walks of life who are experiencing these feelings daily.
In this very real, very scary, and very isolating time of the coronavirus pandemic, we have helped our boys understand that there are people who cannot see their families and loved ones. While watching the local news one morning, a segment aired about an adult son visiting his aging father in a nursing home. It showed the adult son sitting outside, talking on the phone with his father who was sitting inside. No touching. No hugging. No physical contact. My young rascals asked questions:
Why can’t they be in the same room?
Why can’t they open the window?
How will they hug goodbye?
Who will hug them?
Are they loved?
My mama heart just ached. Ached for my rascals trying to understand. Ached because my rascals are developing empathy and this is just the beginning of some really big feelings. Ached for those who cannot touch or be touched by those they love.
Then they asked, “Can we love them?” That answer is yes!
We began a journey of making homemade arts and crafts that can be mailed to various nursing homes in the country. So far, we have sent love letters and art to nursing homes in Texas, Wisconsin, Colorado, and California.
We made foam sticker bookmarks, wrote letters, created sunshine signs, designed art out of multi-talented pencils, assembled patriotic craft sticks, and fashioned USA doorknob hangers.
My rascals now have a greater sense of serving and loving others, even those we have never met.
In return, the rascals have received their own love letters from residents and staff at the nursing homes. These small gestures have made everyone’s hearts full.
Shared by Brandi Stanton, mama of 2 rascals ages 2 and 4.
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