Nursing Home Visit

Every month a group of teens and I go to a local nursing home to give the ladies there a little nail salon.

To be honest this morning I did not want to go -- I could have easily stayed in bed, lounged around in my jammies and drank some tea. But a woman who likes to honor my commitments... off I went to chat with the residents and paint nails. Funny how I ended up painting the resident's nails -- I don't even bother to paint mine.

They so enjoy picking out their polish color -- some love red and the dark colors -- others the soft pinks -- funny how the colors they choose seem to match their personalities.

Some chat and enjoy our company. Others suffering with dementia who are confused and even sometimes afraid. Some suffering with uncontrollable shaking, one thing that always strikes me is that while I hold their hands in mine during the simple act of painting their nails all shaking stops. Amazing the power of touch!

Today there was a woman -- who to be honest I've tried to avoid over the past several months. She is bedridden and come to the salon in a rolling bed. She jerks a spasms uncontrollably, to be honest it is a frighting sight. Today was our day to meet - she was the next in line-- plain and simple. It took two of us - Between Hannah and I and we were nervous at first. Hannah managed to hold her steady while I painted her nails, bright valentine red!

I found out that her name is Holly, the nurse mentioned that they call her "Jolly Holly". I didn't quite know how to talk with Holly -- it wasn't clear that she could even speak. So I chattered on about her nails, her outfit her smile. All through out our visit a smile never left her face. I noticed for the first time how beautiful her blue eyes where and I told her so. Then through a smile came these garbled words 'thank you'. I realized at that moment that she had completely understood all of my chattering and there was much more within Holly and I had almost missed it out of fear.

I am home this afternoon and I can't stop thinking about Holly. She seemed younger than the other ladies. I wonder how old she is? Does she have family that comes to visit? Has she always been this way, shaking uncontrollably? What is she thinking? What is her favorite color? Her favorite foods? How hard must it be for her to even eat. Who is the woman within that shaking convulsing body. Does she know Jesus? I wonder if she would like to look through my picture Bible together?

And to think this sweetheart of a woman I've been avoiding... too shocked by her outward appearance to look within to notice her beautiful blue eyes and the beautiful person that lies within. The person who my be crying out to know Jesus but no one can hear her.

I know where I am taking my light -- thank you Lord for opening my eyes! :)