This morning I received a phone call from my sister who was trying to remedy an oversight on her son’s birthday. Apparently it snuck up on her before she had time to plan for the usual fanfare she creates on any of her four adorable children’s birthdays.
Anyway, her son announced to her first thing this morning that he was expecting “lots and lots and lots and lots of people” to help him celebrate his special day. Knowing that wasn’t going to happen, she started recruiting people to sing him “Happy Birthday” over the phone.
“How old are you today?” I asked after singing for him.
“Four years old.”
“Well happy birthday!”
“When I’m done being four, then I’ll be five.”
“That’s right!”
“And when I’m done being five, I’ll be six,” he added matter-of-factly.
Just for fun, I thought I’d inform him how old I was and how old I would be after I was done being my current age. A moment of silence affirmed that numbers of that magnitude were beyond his comprehension.
So, what I’m reminded of via the “mouths of babes,” is how important it is to be visionary. To have a plan. To never get too comfortable with “arriving.”
I clearly remember being advised during the orientation stage of my work as an activities director in long-term care, that people with Alzheimer’s need someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to.
Isn’t that true for all of us?
It is good to have an end to journey towards,
but it is the journey that matters, in the end.
~ Ursula K LeGuin, novelist ~
Kareen King is a Registered Drama Therapist and founder of The Golden Experience™, offering keynotes, concerts, and workshops to enrich lives in long-term care. For booking information, contact her at kking@thegoldenexperience.com or visit www.thegoldenexperience.com. You may also signup for our newsletter and receive a free download.
