Giving and Receiving

Children whose families struggle to obtain the basic necessities garner everyone’s sympathy over the holidays. But we often don’t think about our senior citizens, some of whom no longer have family or friends to talk to or be with. Last week a small group from the local Episcopal church paid a visit to one of Foster City’s retirement homes.

Our elder hosts were inquisitive and lively, except for the 99-year-old (!) lady who appeared a bit bored. It’s hard to blame her, though; with 99 years of history it’s doubtful our visit would be mentioned in her memoirs. Our three teenaged “volunteers” had to be cajoled into joining our group, but after the ice was broken they easily warmed to the conversation. Our planned hour turned into two, and we gave our new friends small packages of personal items.

A cliché, to be sure, but the well-intentioned bearers of gifts came away with more than we brought. © 2006 Stephen Yuen