Stories of Kindness from Around the World

An Extra Special Candlelight Christmas Eve


--by Joy4All, posted Apr 21, 2011

I am a geriatric care manager and many of my clients families live out of state.

This year, a sweet old lady that I care for, Alice, had gone through a particularly rough time. She had been in the hospital twice and then to a rehab nursing facility. In November I was finally able to get her back to her "home" in to an 'assisted living facility'.

Alice has dementia and thought her daughter was coming to visit on Christmas day and that they were going to have the whole family together like the old days. When she finally realized that was not going to happen she was so sad and tearful. Knowing that her daughter was coming after Christmas was not enough to cheer her. I hated the idea of her being alone on the holiday!

On Christmas Eve, I surprised her by asking if she would like to go to a candlelight service at church that night.

Instead of taking her to my church, I took her to her old neighborhood church where all her friends were. We got there early and I got us a seat where her friends could see her as they came in. God and his angels had a hand in the plan and it worked out perfectly.  All of her friends seemed to be there and rushed over to greet her and sit with her.  

The candlelight service was a beautiful, tearful affair and Alice got lots of hugs and love. 

The truth of the story is that  I am the one who got the best gift; the smile on Alice's face and the feeling that I made a difference. 

 

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Readers Comments

oldgirl wrote: You are one of those special people in our world joy4all. Not only do you care for people who cannot look after themselves but you went further than that for this lady.

I know how hard it is when a family member has dementia and everyone lives a long distance away. We were always moved when someone did something special for her if we could not be with her. For that reason i am sure the family of this lady appreciated your thoughts and deeds to make her christmas that extra little bit special.
luv4all wrote: How thotful! Luv everything abt this story, inspiration communicated in a sweet, sutle way through small acts of big love :)
Joy wrote: Thank you for sharing. What a beautiful experience.
Judy wrote: What a lovely story. Thank you so much for sharing it!
Ollie wrote: You were such a blessing to her , god uses us to be a comfort to each other , thank you for being open to receiving. The joy is that it blesses us also. Peace , love and joy.
Woodrose wrote: Thank you for sharing this beautiful story of love and joy :) x
DAVINIA wrote: Ooh that is such a lovely story - really fabulous. You have lit up my soul xx
michael wrote: I didn't realize i was shedding a tear when i was reading your story after i finished it! I wish some of us would do such a thing to others. Thanks for sharing your story!

God bless you!
Maryjersey wrote: Oh, boo hoo! This one really touched me. It was such a fabulous idea to take her to her old congregation. What an inspired idea and you're even more of a blessing to share it with us. (((thank you))) now, unexpectedly, i need to attend my mascara! ;-)
thebigkind wrote: What a lovely thing you did for her. Thankyou.

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