Halloween Wisdom From a Nursing Home

On Halloween afternoon a few years ago I went to the nursing home where my friend’s Mom is a resident.  We walked into the front foyer, and there they all had gathered.  They were sitting in their wheelchairs…all dressed in some sort of Halloween costume.  Some had a look on their faces that said they did not have a clue.  Some looked hopeful that something would happen soon.  One lady sat there with her mouth open wide and her eyes closed in her green wig and witch’s hat.

My friend’s mom is young, but she is suffering from the results of a stroke.  Jo’s mind is fine.  It must be hard for her to be there trapped in a body that only has one side working. Still, our little Jo Bumble Bee looked happy to be a part of this Halloween. Her friend, Virginia, was there as well.  Her challenges are not so obvious. She was able to walk during the Halloween parade around the corridors of the home and into the day room where activities were held.  Virginia was a butterfly…or so she said.  She had on a lavender robe with matching wings, a crown, and a wand. I believed her to be a princess, but what I believed did not count.  She WAS a butterfly. She was as hopeful in her behavior as a young girl waiting for darkness to come so that she could go out to Trick or Treat.

I looked around, and I learned something from that Halloween Celebration in the nursing home.  These people were living their lives with as much dignity as their circumstances would allow them.  There was beauty and sweetness all around.  The costume march was something to look forward to and enjoy.  It was not the Halloween they had when they were young, but it was what they had now, and they were happy to have it.  This is what life is all about.  Taking joy in the things that you can have, not worrying whether it is shadow of what you had been in the past.  Imminent to all who grow old is the promise of glory to come.  There we will be blessed with a life to which this present life does not hold a candle.

In Jeremiah 29:10-12 we find the words…“This is what the LORD says: ‘When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, 

and I will listen to you.’ ”

This is the final plan God has for us.  We will not have to look back.

HALLOWEEN AT THE HOME

“Kids” all excited

Wait for the moment come

When costumes are donned.

Beautiful “children”

On the other side of life

Grabbing for some fun.

A red haired witch,

A green haired one who snoozes,

And a bumble bee.

A geisha girl so fine

A hippie with curly hair

Wearing a peace sign.

Wheelchairs lining up
Pretending they’re what they were
Before the years flew.

One who walks in step

Sweet innocent butterfly

Simple as a child.

So off we all roll

Halloween march through the home

Who will win a prize?

Nurses clapping

Others in beds sleeping sound

Merrily we move.

Party is ready

Everyone smiling of mem’ries

Of days long ago.

At the nursing home

The children are bigger here

Taken care of now.

Looking over each

One wonders what they’re thinking

What they understand.

Why do they have to

Be here where they seem adrift

No wills of their own.

Sad comic relief
In their costumes as if young

Smile in confusion.

Why does God allow

Sad end for the elderly

Are they in His plan?

Before time began

He knew what their lives would be

How they would end up.

End up – a sad word

Too tragic for what is real

The glory that will come.

They’re waiting for Him

Hope they know He’ll come for them
When His time is right.

Corinne Mustafa

11/1/07